Welcome to New Mexico
The contrasts of scenic wonders
create an artists and visitors haven.
There are no better markets for
Native American crafts, Spanish
architecture and influence are
found throughout the state and
opportunities for adventure range
from white water rafting to lava
tube exploration.
Gallup: Rich in History
Collecting Native American Art
Gallup Pawn
Santa Clara Pueblo
A Place Between Earth and Sky
Forts, Ghost Towns
& Famous Buildings
Affordable Vacations
Historic Mining Towns
Heroes, Villians & Outlaws
Birding Locations

OUR COVER
The Puyé Cliff Dwellings
are the ancestral home of
the Santa Clara Pueblo
Indians, who now operate
modern casino, hotel and
golf facilities in the
Española area. Major prehistoric villages and communities,
like
Chaco
Canyon National Historic
Park and the Gila National
Monument are preserved
throughout New Mexico.

10

Albuquerque
The population and business center for the state
carefully preserves its natural spaces and heritage
while cultivating its arts and
entertainment programs.

18

Indian Country
The largest markets for
Native American crafts and
the ruins of prehistoric peoples highlight the depth of
visitor opportunities.

E2

Northern Mountains
The state’s highest peaks
and deepest canyons and its
world renowned art markets
and fiestas contribute to
its status as a world class
destination.

OW2 Old West Country

Southwest New Mexico
touts its old west heritage
as it leaps into commercial
space travel and alternative
energy.

OW31

OW37

Southeast
The gateway communities
to southern New Mexico’s
mountain playground have
also developed their own
arts and entertainment.
El Paso, Texas
Spaniards, Pueblo Indians,
Mexicans and western moving Anglos contributed to
an exciting history and a
vibrant metropolis.

/ Eagle Clan An active artist since 1983 in the media
of traditional polychrome & black on white. Sandra
Victorino is widely respected for her "eyedazzlers"
design which are swirling bands of repetitive symbols
creating this optical effect.

hardwood floors and love seats around the world. Blankets are woven of
a lighter weight yarn, and are soft and comfortable as a throw or on a bed.
Rugs are durable for lifetimes of floor use and are a luxury to bare feet.
A blanket or a rug can be a focal point of a room, or a neutral accent.

laire Haye, the artist, has lived in New Mexico for over 30 years, creating
delightfully original art and energetic jewelry. Moving to New Mexico
with her young family in the late 70s, she has thrived and become a wellknown and successful artist and businesswoman.
this page: The
The popularity of her jewelry has allowed her to open her very own Claireworks gallery
Taos and her
exclusive galleries showcasing her work. Open in 1977, Claireworks, in near
new Albuquerque
the charming mountain village of Arroyo Seco on the road to Taos Ski location in the Nob
Hill District showValley, welcomes visitors every day. The sculpture garden and gallery are case exclusively the
original work of
a popular destination for locals and out-of-town visitors alike.
Claire Haye.
Due to Claire’s established recognition and following of collectors,
in December 2009, Claire opened her cozy gallery, ClaireWorks II in the vibrant
Albuquerque neighborhood of Nob Hill.
Claire’s intriguing website and fanciful descriptions - www.claireworks.com is a great
source for all of your gift-giving needs. Claire and her friendly and helpful staff will
gladly answer any questions you may have on the phone or via e-mail; and will giftwrap and ship for free. The toll free number is 888-219-6060.
Claire’s original work is available only at her own galleries and website.
7

WELCOME TO

New
8

2010-2011 NEW MEXICO TRAVELER www.travelernm.com

Mexico
New Mexico is a land of beauty and contrast from vast pristine wilderness
areas to pockets of space-age technology. The brilliant New Mexico sunlight,
that incredible painter’s light, and the stunning blue skies that keep us reaching for our cameras have enticed travelers to New Mexico for centuries. The
vistas are sharp and vivid from the Sangre de Cristo peaks near Taos to the
crystalline dunes of White Sands National Monument.
this page: The Rio
Our heartbeat hastens to the beat of a Pueblo drum, while Grande Bosque,
North
America’s
the Very Large Array of radio telescopes listens for signs of life largest cottonwood
forest, offers prisin distant galaxies. We marvel at a curious lizard that scram- tine views, despite
surrounded by
bles across the ruins of an ancient culture and we are startled being
the state’s largest
by trophy elk crashing through brush near high mountain metropolitan area.
trout streams. We drive the web of New Mexico’s scenic
byways and spend days shopping at some of the world’s best markets for art,
jewelry and Indian crafts.
Of the European cultures, the Spanish arrived first, and their influence can
be witnessed throughout the state. Santa Fe continues celebrating its 400th
anniversary through the end of 2010, and colorful fiestas can be found year
round in almost every community.
Challenge our ski slopes and white water rapids and visit our forts, ghost
towns and Spanish missions. Accept this invitation from the most welcoming
people in the union. ¡Bien Venidos a Nuevo México!

9

LOCATION

Albuquerque is located at the junction of
I-25 and I-40, nestled between the Rio Grande
and the 10,700 ft. bluffs of Sandia Crest.

New Mexico’s largest city
and economic hub
ocated on historic El Camino Real, Albuquerque was founded in 1706. Old Town, with its San
Felipe de Neri church and historic plaza, continues to bear its Spanish heritage and architecture.
Artwork and dining opportunities, as well as Native American and Spanish influenced crafts, are
located throughout the plaza area. Many of Albuquerque’s major museums are also located in the
Old Town district.
Historic Route 66, running the full length of Albuquerque, is lined with shopping, dining and entertainment hot spots. Both the downtown and Nob Hill areas boast excellent ethnic restaurants, live music,
dancing and theater.
The170-acre Albuquerque Biological Park, containing an aquarium, botanical gar- opposite: The giant
cottonwoods of the
dens and zoo, is located just blocks away from Old Town. Further north, the Rio Corrales Bosque
cover for
Grande Nature Center State Park provides hiking and bicycle trails through dense cot- provide
excellent
birding,
tonwood forest along the river. On the northwest edge of town, Petroglyph National nature walks and
horseback riding.
Monument preserves an enormous collection of ancient symbols and artwork
scratched onto volcanic rocks.
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the world’s largest gathering of its kind for hot air balloons and includes mass ascensions, flying competitions and balloon glows. The world’s longest aerial
tramway ascends 10,000-foot Sandia Peak, providing hiking, skiing and dining opportunities as well as
incredible vistas.
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and the National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico have
developed into major historic resources. The Gathering of Nations is now the country’s largest powwow,
featuring over 3000 Native American dancers and the crowning of Miss Indian World.

panish colonists began traversing Valencia County in the late 1500s and area land grants were
issued by the King of Spain in the early 1700s. The Village of Los Lunas, the county seat, was
named for the Luna family who took possession of a land grant two years after its issuance in 1718.
The original Historic Route 66 from Chicago to L.A. turns west at Los Lunas,
this page: Historic
a segment now called NM6. A stop at the Museum of Heritage and Arts in Los Lunas Route 66 (NM6)
shortcuts from I-25
provides a historical interlude to the region and Route 66.
at
Los
Lunas
To the south of Los Lunas, the rural village of Tomé was established in1739, and now northwest to I-40
west of Albuquerhosts the University of New Mexico Valencia campus, with it’s modern Southwest archi- que, crossing old
lava flows, the Rio
tecture and award-winning landscaping. It is also the site of Tomé Hill, a sacred hill ris- Puerco and passing
Pueblo
ing up out of the middle of the valley and offering ancient petroglyphs and extensive vis- through
Indian lands.
tas from the top. At the base of the hill is a 25-foot sculpture, "La Puerta del Sol," by
renowned artist, Armando Alvarez depicting the settling of New Mexico by Native Americans and conquistadors; merchants and missionaries; soldiers and shepherds.
Beyond Tomé is New Mexico’s historic “Hub City,” Belén. The settlement played a strategic roll on the

14

2010-2011 NEW MEXICO TRAVELER www.travelernm.com

early Spanish supply route, El Camino
Real, and later became a critical crossroad of east-west/north-south routes
of the Santa Fe Railroad, now the
Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Railroad. It is also the southern
anchor of New Mexico’s RailRunner
commuter train from Belén to
Albuquerque and Santa Fé.
Located in Belén are the Water
Conservation Garden, The Rio
Grande Veterans Memorial Park, the
P&M Farm Museum and the Harvey
House Museum. Painted wall-to-wall
murals cover the center room of the
Harvey House, depicting scenic views
of the valley, and three rooms are dedicated to an HO scale replica of the
Bélen railroad yard. The Harvey
House Museum sponsors numerous
art and railroad exhibits throughout
the year.

World-renowned art markets, thousand year old continuous cultures, 400 years of New World history, some of the
nation’s best skiing and white water rafting, unique natural hot mineral waters and arguably the best shopping in the universe are what distinguish North-Central New Mexico from the rest of the nation.
below:
The
The remains of prehistoric civilizations in the northern mountains mingle with Native American Pueblo majestic Sangre
de Cristo mounpopulations striving to preserve their ancestral drumbeat while forging ahead with twenty-first century eco- tains rise above
Pueblo
nomic interaction. Isolated Spanish villages have remained unphased by the influx of America’s top scientific Nambé
near Española.
minds, and somehow, prairie schooners, railroads and airplanes have kept pace with the rest of the country.
But it’s the brilliant sunlight and the bluest of skies, jagged peaks and ski slopes, rivers tumbling through narrow canyons
and colorful sandstone bluffs that continue to attract creative minds and visitors from afar. From the carving of ancient petroglyphs through modern graphic manipulation, the artistic spirit that lightly touches every facet of this land of deep spiritual enchantment grows stronger by the day.
Discover your artistic niche or extreme physical thrill, hand in hand with Mother Nature herself…or just sit back and
bask in the enlightening ambiance of New Mexico’s Northern Mountains.

E3

THE CITY DIFFERENT

SantaFe

Don’t miss the celebration! Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the United States
and continues to celebrate its 400th birthday through the end of 2010. There will
be no better time to participate in the multicultural pageantry and arts that have
drawn people to this site for centuries.
The New Mexico Museum opened its doors for the start of the Santa Fe celebration Memorial Day weekend in 2009. The new museum includes the Palace
of the Governors, the oldest public building in the United States.
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi also joined the anniversary celebration in the summer of 2010, when it, too, marked its 400th birthday.
Originally constructed in 1610, a small adobe chapel protects the oldest statue
of the Virgin Mary in the United States, brought
this page: There is no
from Spain in 1625.
lack of creativity in
The 50-acre Santa Fe Railyard that Santa Fe, one of the
opened in 2009 with a 13-acre park, world’s largest art
markets. There are
claims the beginnings of a new com- three major arts districts
mercial, residential and social with sculpture and
performing
arts
district. New Mexico scattered throughout
Railrunner train service the city.
now joins Santa Fe and
Albuquerque, and American Eagle offers
nonstop daily flights between Santa Fe
and Dallas.
Named by the National Trust for
Historic Preservation as one of the
organization's Dozen Distinctive
Destinations in America for 2009,
Santa Fe provides a rich experience in
the arts and culture. Coupled with
the opportunity to celebrate its
history through the end of
December 2010, Santa Fe
may well be the greatest
party experience ever.

ATTRACTIONS
Canyon Road. East of Paseo de Peralta.
Originally a Native American trail into the
mountains; now lined with unique shops, art
galleries, artists' studios, restaurants and local
hangouts. 800-777-2489 or 505-955-6200.
EI Rancho de las Golondrinas. South of
Santa Fe off I-25. Historical Spanish colonial
village, now a living history museum, was a
stopping point on EI Camino Real. Call for
annual event schedule and tours, 505-471-2261.
Hyde Memorial State Park. Eight miles northeast of Santa Fe. Camping, hiking and picnicking. 505-983-7175. www.nmparks.com
Loretto Chapel. 207 Old Santa Fe Trail.
Houses the miraculous staircase built by a
mysterious carpenter believed to have been
St. Joseph by the Loretto nuns. 505-982-0092.
www.lorettochapel.com
Museum Hill. On Camino Lejo off Old Santa
Fe Trail. Home of the Laboratory of
Anthropology, Museum of Indian Arts &
Culture, Museum of International Folk Art,
Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, and the
Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian.
www.museumhill.org
Museum of Fine Arts. 107 W. Palace Ave.
Southwest, historical and contemporary art.
505-476-5072. www.mfasantafe.org
Palace of the Governors. 105 W. Palace Ave.
17th century building on the Santa Fe Plaza
housing historical exhibits. The oldest continuously used public building in the US.
505-476-5100. www.palaceofthegovernors.org
San Miguel Mission Church. 401 Old Santa
Fe Trail. Dates back to first Spanish colonization. Rebuilt following Pueblo Revolt of 1680.
505-983-3974 or 988-9504.
Santuario de Guadalupe. 100 S. Guadalupe.
Mission museum exhibiting Spanish colonial
art. 18th century shrine to Our Lady of
Guadalupe. 505-988-2027.

EVENTS
May

LOCATION

Santa Fe is located at the junction I-25
and US84/285, the historic termination of
El Camino Real and the Santa Fe Trail.

ny local or regular visitor to the city different will
tell you there are three things you have to do
when you visit Santa Fe: See the plaza, eat
green/red chili, and visit the famous Tesuque
Pueblo Flea Market. Located just a few miles north of the
tourist district and a few yards from the Santa Fe Opera,
the well-known market is on a scenic location adjacent to
the beautiful Sangre De Cristo foothills.
Offering a wide variety of traditional New Mexican arts,
crafts, and foods, the market also plays host to vendors and
artists from over two dozen countries (including Pakistan,
Guatemala, Africa, and Russia â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to name a few). This
vibrant gathering of wares and people has made the market
a special destination as much for shopping as for entertainment. Between wandering the endless aisles of charming and exotic goods, taking in the fresh desert air, chatting
with artists from all over the world, observing the eccentric
locals, and dining on delicious regional and international
dishes, visiting the Tesuque Pueblo Flea Market is truly a
feast for the senses.
ENCANTADA TESUQUE PUEBLO

E5

Earth&Sky
A PLACE BETWEEN

Written by Joseph Burgess

SANTA CLARA PUEBLO

Pyue Cliffs were home to the ancestors of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
Santa Clara Pueblo people, Puye Cliffs supported a population
of 1,500 from 1100 to 1580 AD.

E6

2010 ENCANTADA www.travelernm.com

photo courtesy Santa Clara Pueblo

T

he Pueblo of Santa Clara, a Tewa-language pueblo, was established around
1550. The ancestors of today’s Santa Clarans lived in nearby cliff dwellings
and pit-house villages on the eastern slopes of the Jémez Mountains. With
permits, visitors can explore the Puyé Cliff Dwellings, which includes the
mesa-top village ruins of Top House and a restored kiva, or place of worship.
Drought probably forced the native culture to relocate from Puyé to the Río
Grande Valley, a mile south of Española on NM30.
Puyé overlooks Santa Clara Canyon, one of the pueblo’s major attractions. The
deep, tree-lined getaway includes several fishing lakes, campsites and picnic areas.
The canyon is normally open seasonally, but call to insure its opposite: The Puyé Cliff
are
an
availability due to continuing reclamation projects related to Dwellings
ancestral home of the
forest fire damage. Guided and self-guided tours are available Santa Clara culture. The
site includes a large
through the governor’s office, as well as the permits required for cluster of pit houses on
the mesa. above: Santa
accessing all pueblo areas.
Clarans are well-known
The pueblo is noted for its pottery, including wedding jars, for their exquisite pottery.
redware, carved blackware, melon bowls and polychrome.
Wedding jars are double-necked vessels with two mouths connected by a handle.
Animal figures are included in some designs. Shop signs in the village direct visitors to the local potters and painters.
Visitors to the pueblo are reminded that they must check in at the governor’s
office. Photography, sketching and video recording permits are normally available
throughout the year, except for feast days.

ENCANTADA SANTA CLARA PUEBLO

E7

above right: Life inside the Santa Claran Hotel and
Casino is an exciting as well as cultural experience.
right: Black Mesa Golf Course just east of
Española. opposite: A restored kiva in the Top
House village, part of the Puyé Cliff Dwellings site.
E8

he Santa Claran Hotel and Casino,
operated by the Pueblo, is located in the
heart of Española. The casino features
800 reel and video slot machines in a
range of denominations and a variety of the
hottest games including Hot Shot Progressive,
Wheel of Fortune, Cash Express Penny Train,
Video Poker, Zorro, Cash Fever and others..
There are ten table games including Black
Jack, Ultimate Card Texas Hold 'Em, a
Roulette Table, and a Craps Table. The property includes a 24-lane bowling facility, three
full-service restaurants and an extensive banquet facility.
Santa Clara also operates Black Mesa Golf
Course, on NM 399 just east of Española.
Designed by architect Baxter Spann, Black
Mesa has a wild Irish links look to it and has
received national acclaim for its challenging
play. The course plays through dramatic sandstone ridges with the sacred Black Mesa visible from several locations. Each hole features
characteristics that make it both strategic and
memorable. The layout showcases distinctive
bunkering, native arroyos as hazards, and
green contouring in keeping with the scale of
the natural landforms.
“A great course tests both the mind and the
body,” said designer Spann, “and this statement holds true for Black Mesa. From the
first tee shot, you realize that mental strategy
is essential, while the course's expansive fairways and greens allow it to be played more
easily than it appears.”

Ortega’s
Weaving

Shop

CHIMAYO

Nine Generations of Inventive Weaving,
Perfected.

Chimayo Weaving is a tradition with roots deep in old Spanish

In 1948, David and José Ramon, with wives Jeanine and

Colonial New Mexico. In the early 1700s, Gabriel Ortega passed his

Bernardita, built the current Ortega Weaving Shop. David’s sons,

knowledge of weaving on to his son Manuel Pablo, thus beginning

Andrew and Robert, joined the business in the mid-1970s.

an unbroken family weaving tradition that continues to this day.

Today, Robert runs the daily operations of the Weaving Shop,
while Andrew and his wife, Evita handle the adjacent Galería,

In 1900, Nicacio Ortega, Gabriel’s great-grandson, opened a

opened in 1983, offering traditional New Mexico products.

store to sell weavings as well as general merchandise. As time
passed and people around the world began to discover New

As weavers for eight generations in the Chimayo tradition, our

Mexican craftsmanship and Chimayó weavings. Nicacio taught his

family appreciates the commitment that goes into creating hand-

sons to weave to keep up with the demand. Eventually, he hired

crafted 100% wool weavings of lasting beauty. We invite you to

weavers from other families in the area. Many of these same fami-

visit us at Ortega’s Weaving Shop and Galería Ortega in pictur-

lies are still weaving for the Ortegas today.

esque Chimayó to discover this unique tradition for yourself.

E10

2010 ENCANTADA www.travelernm.com

ENCANTADA CHIMAYO

E11

Barrel tasting 2010

Velarde
BLACK MESA WINERY
Black Mesa Winery is located in scenic
northern New Mexico on the main highway between Santa Fe and Taos (El
Camino Real). The historic setting serves
as a backdrop for revitalization of the
major New Mexican Wineries and vineyards which were prominent here for
almost 400 years. Black Mesa's fancifully
named wines, including Coyote, Antelope,
Conejito White and Black Beauty, are
blends recognized both locally and internationally. Varietal wines produced
include Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Zinfandel.

aos
T
DINING

A FEW OF THE AREA’S GREAT
DINING EXPERIENCES!

SABROSO
RESTAURANT AND BAR,
Located in a cozy, 150 year-old adobe northeast of Taos in the village of
Arroyo Seco, serves American and Mediterranean-accented cuisine and a
bistro fare. Cooking on an applewood-fired grill, Chef Timothy Wooldrige
prepares steaks, lamb and fish. Vegetarian dishes are also offered.
Chef Timothy studied culinary arts
at Paul Smith’s College in Lake
Placid, NY and L’Academie de
Cuisine in Bethesda, MD under
White House Executive Chef
Mesnier. His career has included
Executive Chef at Capital Hilton in
D.C. and Executive Chef and
Food/ Beverage Director at Ponte
Vedra Beach Club, FL. Chef
Timothy’s Filet Mignon is top 5%
choice Blank Angus and he offers
Prince Edward Island mussels and
Delaware Blue Point oysters,
Sabroso style.
Chef Timothy

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2010 ENCANTADA www.travelernm.com

GRAHAM’S GRILLE
Located in the Taos Historic District was created by Lesley B. and Peter
B. Fay to convey a fun, cosmopolitan atmosphere. Their healthy, flavorful comfort food includes creative dishes prepared from scratch at prices
that are unintimidating. Cage-free chicken, fresh wild-catch fish and a
wide assortment of fresh vegetables are offered.

DOC MARTIN’S

LEGENDARY
LEGENDARY

Doc Martin's Restaurant is an acclaimed dining establishment located in a
registered historic landmark. Doc's is a true Taos tradition, earning multiple awards for over 20 consecutive years accompanied by the fabulous
Regional New American fare served. Many guests enjoy Doc's Sunday
Brunch special event and holiday menus. Occasions such as wine dinners,
Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and Mother's Day are not to be missed.

Chef Lesley
Let Chef Lesley Fay guide you through her
exciting and healthy creations in her cookbook,
featuring “honest, not fussy, fresh recipes” that
come Straight from the Heart.

Chef Lesley Fay grew up on a
Southern California farm, attended the California Culinary
Academy and, with husband Peter
B. Fay, owned and operated a
restaurant in Sonoma Valley
before stepping up to Taos.
Healthy ingredients, an intriguing
seasonal menu and customized
preparation are a few of Graham’s
perks. Favorites include baked
macaroni and cheddar with fireroasted green chile and hickory
smoked bacon, and grilled salmon
risotto with a pink grapefruit,
orange and avocado salsa.

E13

Ojo Caliente
Mineral Springs Resort & Spa

T

he 1100-acre Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa is one of the nation’s oldest and certainly most popular centers for natural health and rejuvenation. It is the
world’s only known natural hot springs with a combination of four unique, sulphur-free, mineral waters including iron, arsenic, lithia and soda, each providing
various health benefits. Most recently the resort finished a massive renovation and
expansion that includes a new reception building, expanded spa, new lodging units plus a
cozy Wine Bar and Lounge adjacent to the upgraded Artesian Restaurant.
New Mexico’s first congressional territorial representative, Antonio Joseph, opened Ojo
as one of the first natural health resorts in the United States more than 140 years ago, and
the spa has celebrated successful operation ever since. The health resort has become more
accommodating over the years since its rustic beginnings with the addition of twelve new

Ojo Caliente is located 24 miles north of
Española on US285, featuring centuries
old hot springs flowing from four distinct
mineral sources.

TOUR

From Ojo Caliente, return south on US285
and west on US84 to Abiquiu and Ghost
Ranch, or travel north 30 miles on US285
to Tres Piedras and west 30 miles on
US64, crossing the Rio Grande Gorge
bridge to Taos.

Pueblo and Cliffside suites, six of which have
private outdoor soaking tubs. There are eleven
newly built Plaza Cottages in addition to the
eight renovated North Cottages, plus the
enhanced Historic Hotel and two private
homes: Casa de Ojo House and The Adobe
House. All of the new construction has
emphasized the latest in “green” technology
and conservation.
Of course, the waters are what make Ojo
Caliente unique. Ten meticulously maintained mineral pools, including three outdoor
private pools and a seasonal mud pool, are
considered to be beneficial for a number of
physical conditions. The four distinctly different natural hot water sources combined with
spa therapy provide an amazing opportunity to
enhance healthful living and relaxation in an
uncomplicated setting.
Ancient pueblo ruins on the grounds indicate use of the waters for centuries by native
populations. Ojo Caliente which means, “hot
eye” was named by Spanish explorers while
searching for the Fountain of Youth in the
1500s, noting that the local Native American
inhabitants believed the waters “were given to
them by their gods.” Ojo Caliente was re-discovered by Zebulon Pike in 1807 as he was
being marched to Santa Fe under arrest for
exploring New Spain without permission.
Ojo Caliente is located just one hour from
Taos and Santa Fe.
opposite, from top right: A refreshing waterfall
provides soothing relaxation to a guest in the
cliffside pool which is supplied with water containing
high iron mineralization. The New Wine Bar &
Lounge provides a charming and relaxed
environment serving a fine selection of local and
imported wine and beer as well as an enticing Bar
Menu. The Cliffside Suites have a private back patio
with outdoor soaking tub facing the stunning cliffs.
inset: Cliff backlighting allows for intriguing evening
soaks in the iron/arsenic pools. above: The private
outdoor pools are complete with kiva fireplaces.
Photos courtesy Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa.

ENCANTADA OJO CALIENTE

E15

Taos

Ageless Beauty & Mystique

C

radled by the rugged peaks of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, Taos has become a center for
both the arts and the ultimate in outdoor experiences. Streets lined with galleries, shops, quaint coffee houses and hotels touch the creative spirit within each of us. Huge cottonwood trees, seasonal
flowers and crackling fireplaces warm the atmosphere of this high altitude plateau year round. An
impressive collection of museums showcase the region’s diverse cultures and multifaceted pool of talent.
The shear mysticism of Taos, a centuries-old melding pot of cultural development, natural this page: New
highest
beauty and an endless supply of brilliant sunshine, has captured the hearts of America’s artists, Mexico’s
peaks dominate
writers, historians and anyone else who simply want to experience the essence of New Mexico’s the artistic appeal
of Taos, captured in
enchanted spirit. The multistoried structures of Taos Pueblo, occupied for a millennium, the bold this view from
US285 west of the
adobe walls of St. Francis de Asis church and the stark contrasts created by the river and its gorge Rio Grande Gorge.
fill portfolios and manuscripts with the jewels of this high desert destination.
For winter sports, the Enchanted Circle includes the adrenaline-charged slopes of Taos Ski Valley, Red River,
Sipapu and Angel Fire and ice-fishing at Eagle Nest Lake. High speed lifts, snowmobiles and hot air balloons complete this plein air sketch of a perfect winter getaway.
Summer activities are no less challenging. White water rafting, fly fishing, hiking, biking, horseback and llama
treks, and yes, lifts are still running and the nightlife steaming. Live music, excellent food, wine, a round of Las
Vegas style gambling and a hot rock massage provide an incredible diversion to sore muscles.

Aug-May Shuler Theater
Performing Arts
Season
Sep
Raton Volksmarch
Nov-Dec City of Bethlehem
Holiday Lights
Show. Charles
Dickens' A
Christmas Carol.
For more information on
these and other events, visit
www.exploreraton.com

mountain getaway on the historic Old Santa Fe Trail, Raton is the gateway
between New Mexico and Colorado. With a rich mining and ranching history,
Raton is a gem from the past.
above: The historic
Visit the historic Shuler Theater, now celebrating its Schuler Theater
celebrated its 95th
95th Anniversary with a full season of theater, dance and music. During Anniversary in 2010.
the summer, the Kaleidescope Players present their annual professional below: Balloonists
from all over the
summer repertory theater season, and in the fall, winter, and spring, the country fly every
year at the Santa Fe
Shuler plays host to performing artists from around the world.
Trail International
Outdoor enthusiasts can camp, hike, fish, and horseback ride in Balloon Rally, July
4th weekend.
Sugarite Canyon State Park, home to an historic coal camp and named
one of the top ten state parks in the US by Camping Life magazine. Or test your skills at
the NRA's Whittington Center, the most comprehensive shooting facility in the country. Set
in 52 square miles of gorgeous mountain scenery, the Whittington Center is open to the
public for a full range of outdoor sports.
ATTRACTIONS
Get your fix of local history at The Raton
Sugarite Canyon State Park
12 miles from downtown. Camping Life magazine
Museum and by walking through Raton's downTop Ten State Park. (575) 445-5607
www.emnrd.state.nm.us/prd/Sugarite.htm
town, a designated historic district that includes
NRA Whittington Center
over 95 significant buildings. First and Second
South of Raton on NM Highway 64.
www.nrawc.org (575) 445-3615 (800) 494-4853
Streets' antique stores are a must-visit for the
Capulin Volcano Natâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;l Monument
canny bargain hunter.
30 miles east of Raton on NM 64/87. Features

photos courtesy The Mandala Center

Relax, Renew, Reflect, Rejoice
The Mandala Center
DES MOINES

Relax
Reflect
Renew

place to
come home to oursel

WRITTEN BY LORI L. COON
t is our pleasure to invite you to The Mandala Center nestled on the slopes of the Sierra
Grande overlooking Capulin Volcano National Monument. Antelope roam and eagles soar
to accompany your own spirit of adventure in this ancient and enchanted land. Sunsets are
spellbinding and the silence surrounds you under breathtaking views of star-studded nights.
This remote setting is home to The Mandala Center and calls to the hearts of artists,
spiritual seekers, healing professionals, teachers, soul searchers, nature enthusiasts and anyone who sets out on a pilgrimage to learn more about themselves, the world around them
and the deeper meanings in life.
The Journey began in 1989 when Tish Hewitt built the Casa
Mandala as her personal retreat. In 1996, her daughter Anna
Wolfe, incorporated the facility as a nonprofit educational
retreat and interfaith sanctuary for people consciously seeking
deeper connection with their life callings, personal passions,
creativity, spiritual understanding and transformative processes.
The Mandala Center offers personal retreats for individuals, a year-long program of
workshop retreats on a variety of subjects and facility rentals for groups and organizations
seeking a supportive and comfortable destination for their own agendas.
Our bed capacity at the Center is 24, meals can be prepared for groups and internet service is available in our main center. There is an Artist Nook Cabin on the ranch for guests
or artists-in-residence and there are acres of land to hike on the mountain side.
Call or visit our new website: www.mandalacenter.org

I

UPCOMING RETREATS
May 21-23 Exploring Your
Dreams with Irene Clurman and
Michael Tappan
June 4-6th Painting with Soft Pastels
with L. Martin Pavletich
June 3-6th Ancient Images/Modern
Icons: Art Making and the Divine
Feminine with Sheila Hennessy and
Mary Saracino
June 11-13 Return to Wholeness:
Nourishment for Women Cancer
Survivors with Carol LaRue

Sept 17-21 International Day of
Peace Event Mystical Arts of Tibet
Sand Mandala Peace Pole Dedication,
Art as Meditation and more.
Sept 24-26 Pilgrimage: Following
the Yearnings of your Heart with
Tom Ehrich
Check for our Photography and
Contemplative Writing and "Listening
to the Voice Within"retreats
in October.

as Vegas rests on the gentle eastern slope of the Sangre de Cristo mountains and the
edge of grass-laden prairies that stretch into forever. Authentic and original, Las
Vegas is home to over 900 buildings on the National Historic Register, including the
state's largest number of intricate Victorian homes and the Plaza Hotel's classic
Western ambience. Historical artifacts, clothing, and photographs can be seen at the Las
Vegas City Museum, housed in a 1940 WPA building, and the nearby this page: The wellpreserved
historic
office of the Citizens Committee for Historic Preservation.
districts of Las Vegas
A stroll through the Arts and Cultural District reveals an array of aes- include venues for
local performances
thetic riches from carved wooden saints and softly painted retablos to the and social gatherings.
opposite: Fort Union
bold works of modern minds. The local cuisine emerged from a melding was the “guardian of
of the two cultures that first met at the river Gallinas, offering dishes the Santa Fe Trail.”
from Northern New Mexican to sophisticated American. Music from Mariachi to the classical voices of the New Mexico Highlands University choir echo from the Plaza Park's gazebo as local dancers salsa and two-step during cool summer evenings.
Las Vegas counts natural hot springs, mountain hiking trails, striking architecture, and a rich
blend of culture as some of its finest offerings. Once the biggest and baddest of the Old West
towns, Las Vegas hasn’t lost the best of what it has always been: a jewel on the Santa Fe Trail.

ATTRACTIONS
Fort Union National Monument. Established in 1851 as the
guardian of the Santa Fe Trail. 505-425-8025 www.nps.gov/foun/
Pecos National Historical Park. Open Year Round. 505-757-7200
www.nps.gov/peco/
City of Las Vegas Museum & Rough Rider Memorial Collection.
Tues-Sat 10am-4pm 505-454-1401 ext. 283
Historic Plaza Hotel. Built in 1882, one of the most beautifully
restored New Mexico Hotels! 505-425-3591 www.plazahotel-nm.com

biquiu is the heart of Georgia O’Keeffe country. The internationally famous and fiercely independent artist lived the last 37 years of her life among the colorful sandstone bluffs that were carved by
the Rio Chama. Her home and studio can be toured in the tiny village of Abiquiu. Plaza Blanca
in the village, is also the subject of many artists and photographers, but please respect the rights of local villagers.
O’Keeffe’s earlier home at nearby Ghost Ranch is now a 17,000 acre retreat and conference center that
includes the Florence Hawley Ellis Museum of Anthropology and the Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology, both
open to the public. There are also hiking trails and a fascinating dinosaur quarry at the center, which is managed
by the Presbyterian Church.
The inspirational mystique of this this page: The
colorful sandstone
relatively isolated region perhaps has bluffs along US84
between
Abiquiu
been a factor in its diverse spiritual draw and Ghost Ranch
the artistic
for a Benedictine monastery, the inspired
genius of Georgia
mosque at Dar al Islam and an Eastern O’Keeffe and those
who have followed.
Greek Orthodox monastery at the foot
of Pedernal Peak.
Numerous regional lakes include Abiquiu Lake on the
Rio Chama. Boating, water skiing, fishing, picnicking are
among the lake’s activities. There are ancient ruins of the
Pueblo Indians in the area, and Echo Amphitheater, carved
by nature, is just west of the lake.

EVENTS

Oct 9-10-11 Abiquiu Studio Tour. 505-685-4505

LOCATION

Abiquiu is located on US84, 22 miles
northwest of Española and 10 miles east
of Ghost Ranch.

MORE INFORMATION

Ghost Ranch (505) 685-4333
www.ghostranch.org
www.newmexico.org
E24

2010 ENCANTADA www.travelernm.com

photos courtesy The Springs Resort & Spa

The

Springs
Resort &

Spa

PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO

T

o mold the stay to revolve around your expectations, with the opportunity to create
one of life’s rewarding experiences. That’s your assignment. The Springs Resort in
Pagosa Springs, Colorado, will enhance your ability to achieve success with 23 pools
of flowing, natural, hot mineral water, a river tumbling straight out of the Colorado
Rockies, a non-mineral lap pool and Jacuzzi, options for rejuvenating massage and a hotel
featuring deep, plush mattresses. With all the amenities of a Roman bath- above: Terraced to
house, you can reach a state of mind and body that perhaps you thought overlook the beautiful
San Juan River, The
was impossible.
Springs offers numerhot pools to
The 30-acre complex by itself can fill your stay, but if you possess an ous
choose from. below:
adventuresome spirit, you can ski or hike the slopes of nearby Wolf Creek All hotel guests
receive
compor ride horseback over the trail system of the San Juan Mountains. At the limentary 24-hour
very least, you should browse the shops and galleries of Pagosa Springs access to the
soaking pools and
and treat your discriminating palate to its fine restaurants.
plush spa robes for
As one can imagine, the highly mineralized “healing waters” of the The use during their stay.
Great Pagosa Hot Spring were frequented by Native American tribes and discovered by the
White Man in 1859. Since the early 1990s, visionary planning and attention to detail is
turning The Springs into a top destination in the world of relaxation and rejuvenation.

Northwest New Mexico is covered predominantly by the Navajo Indian Nation and the Pueblos
of Zuni, Acoma and Laguna. Successive generations of talented tribal artisans have produced the
largest market for Native American arts and crafts in the world. Both casual and seri- this page: : San
ous collectors of Native America work are challenged by the vast array of choices JosĂŠ
Mission
Church and the
being offered.
Indian pueblo of
The previous inhabitants of the area were the ancient Anazasi, ancestors of the Laguna are visible
accessible
Pueblo people, who left behind impressive ruins at Chaco Canyon and Aztec in New and
from I-40 between
Mexico, Mesa Verde in Colorado and Canyon de Chelly in Arizona.
Albuquerque and
The geologic diversity of the terrain has given rise to major recreational opportu- Grants.
nities including trophy fishing, rock climbing, mountain biking and hot-air ballooning.
Segments of Historic Route 66 pass through the pueblos of Acoma and Laguna and form the
main streets of Gallup and Grants. Scenic Route 53 accesses El Malpais and El Morro National
Monuments and the Pueblo of Zuni.

INDIAN COUNTRY

19

Acoma
Pueblo of

SKY CITY

Experience Acoma Sky City

A

coma Pueblo, known as Sky City, welcomes visitors to experience North America's oldest continuously inhabited community which sits atop a 370-foot sandstone mesa. Guided walking tours offer a unique historical
and cultural experience that includes the massive San Esteban del Rey Mission. The
The thousand year
Pueblo and Mission are Registered National Historic Landmarks. Acoma Pueblo is the old Pueblo of
Acoma (Sky City),
only Native American community designated as a National Historic Trust Site.
continues to be a
of native
At the base of Sky City, discover a 1,000 years of Acoma art, culture and history at the Sky City community
artisans. this page:
Cultural Center and Haak'u Museum. Gaits’i Gallery offers the best in traditional Acoma pottery, The San Esteban
del Rey Mission
sculptures, paintings, Native American jewelry and other unique gifts. Feast on authentic Acoma cui- (1629-1641).
sine in the Yaak’a Café’.
2010 Exhibits at Haak’u Museum: “The History of the Restoration of San Esteban del Rey Mission: 1700 – Present.”
The exhibit traces the evolution of the reconstructive phases of one of the largest Pueblo Missions in the state and
reveals never-before-seen artifacts, tools and photographs.
Acoma Ollas: Form, Function and Beauty. The exhibit examines the
wonder and beauty that surrounds the unique storage jars, called dyuuni by the Acoma people and to celebrate the ollas evolution from
functional clay storage jars into stunning pieces of art coveted by collectors throughout the world.
Sky City Casino Hotel offers Las Vegas-style gaming, four dining
options, triple diamond rated hotel accommodations, a state of the
art RV Park and top notch entertainment.

EVENTS
Apr

Sep

Acoma Ollas poster series on
sale at the Sky City Cultural
Center and Haak’u Museum
Gift Shop.
St. Esteban Feast Day. 8am5pm every September 2. We do
not provide tours on this day,
but the village is open to the
public free of charge.

LOCATION

Located just 45 minutes west of
Albuquerque and 15 minutes east of
Grants on I-40 exit 102, Acoma, NM.

MORE INFORMATION
Sky City (888) SKY-CITY.
www.skycity.com

2010-2011 NEW MEXICO TRAVELER www.travelernm.com

rants
G
CIBOLA COUNTY

Cultural & Geologic Diversity

G

rants is the multicultural epitome of the Southwest, where distinct
cultures of the Pueblo people, the Navajo, the Hispanic, and the
Anglo-European strive to create a community that builds upon the
strengths of each. Located among complex geological processes, red and
tan sandstone cliffs give way to pine forests and aspen groves on high
this page: Eleven
thousand foot Mt.
mountain slopes, and old lava flows meander across the valleys.
Taylor rises above the
The Pueblo people have lived in this area “since the beginning of city of Grants on I-40.
flows and sandtime” in their reckoning. The legacy of their ancestors is evident Lava
stone formations south
throughout the region. Nearby Acoma, sitting on a high mesa of Grants create
intriguing
regional
southeast of Grants, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited vistas. opposite: The
jagged black formacommunities in the United States. The new Sky City Cultural tions along I-40 are
of a huge lava flow
Center showcases the heritage of the Acoma people, and the adja- part
south of Grants called
cent Pueblo of Laguna is home to the 300-year-old San Jose de la El Malpais National
Monument.
Laguna church.
The Spanish influence arrived to stay in the land of Cibola in 1605, when Don
Juan de Oñate carved his inscription on a bluff at El Morro. Grants’ location on
Historic Route 66 brought 20th century travelers and the roadside enterprises that
served them. The discovery of uranium sparked a mining boom that lasted for over
three decades.

22

2010-2011 NEW MEXICO TRAVELER www.travelernm.com

The La Ventana Steakhouse in Grants New Mexico serves up
delicious and unique dishes at prices you can afford.
Call today for your reservation or just stop by and see all the
great food, and desserts that are available.
Along with your meal, enjoy our wide selection of
beer and wine in our full bar.
For Reservations/Questions please call

Chaco Culture National Historical Park a
World Heritage Site features a nine mile loop
that accesses five different Chacoan sites.
Canyon de Chelly National Monument
ancient ruins loom silently among the sheer
red sandstone cliffs.
El Morro and Inscription Rock contains
over 2,000 historic petroglyphs and inscriptions carved into the rock.
Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site
sells old and new Native American art and is
host to two auctions each year.
www.nps.gov/hutr
Outdoor Murals portraying the area’s rich
history and diverse cultures turn the downtown district into a museum of art.
Pueblo of Zuni known for its craftmanship
and skilled artisans is considered to be the
most traditional and largest of the 19 New
Mexico pueblos.
575-782-5531 www.zunitourism.com
Window Rock the ceremonial center of the
earth for the Navajo people and capitol of the
Navajo Nation.

LOCATION
Gallup is located at the junction of I-40,
US 666 and NM 602, in the heart of
Indian Country, 138 miles west of Albuquerque and 31 miles north of Zuni.

he Hub of Indian Country, Gallup is the driving force of Native
American markets. Just eight miles south of the Navajo Nation and
20 miles north of Zuni, the largest of New Mexico’s Pueblos, Gallup
commands attention internationally as the foremost
opposite:
outlet for quality handcrafted jewelry, pottery and blankets.
Buffalo dancers
The intriguing handiwork of Mother Nature surrounds Gallup are among the
many traditional
with its Red Rock State Park, and the nearby formations of El Indian ceremonial
performers at the
Morro, El Malpais, Window Rock and Shiprock. Major ruins of Inter-Tribal Indian
the Anasazi Culture dot the region, including Chaco Culture Ceremonial.
National Historic Park, a World Heritage Site.
A multicultural community, Gallup’s downtown and parks are covered
with sculpture and murals and it has preserved its local WPA era artwork.
Gallup is the location for the annual Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial.

Southwest Indian Foundation
and “Reunion of the Masters,
Art of the People” award scholarships to student artists in the
region through the Children’s Art
Scholarship Program. Held the
first weekend in December.
Hands-on workshops held by the
artists on Thursday and Friday.
Scholarship winners announced
on Sat. 505-722-3730

www.nps.gov/hutr/
www.southwestindian.com
Ongoing events
Arts Crawl. Local artists featured in downtown galleries and
businesses monthly on the second Saturday of the month. 505722-2228
Crownpoint Rug Auction.
Typically held on the second
Friday of each month. Viewing of

Rich
The world’s greatest market for Native American crafts, Gallup’s
historic business district is lined with trading posts and galleries
that distribute an estimated 85 percent of the entire world’s trade
in exquisite Indian products. The local market continues to
thrive, enhanced by the city’s continuing commitment to the
public arts, a renovated performing arts theater and modern new
government buildings that have maintained the city’s traditional
architecture. Murals and sculpture highlighting the area’s rich
and surprisingly diverse culture can be found throughout the
downtown area. The region’s strong support of its men in uniform
is also vividly apparent in its parks, artwork and ceremonies.
Gallup’s Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial remains one of the
nation’s premier events. Since 1922, American Indians have celebrated their native heritage in Gallup by competing with each
other in arts and crafts. Wearing the native dress of their particular tribes, they dance and share stories as they have done for
centuries.
The colorful bluffs that formed the backdrop for
numerous western movies have now been discovered as a
premier rock climbing, mountain biking and ballooning
destination. Areas have been designated for climbing
and biking and the Red Rock Balloon Rally is recognized as a major hot air balloon fest.
Settled in 1881, Gallup has served the needs
of miners, railroad workers and reservation
dwellers. As automobiles emerged, the town
catered to the traveling public. For the past
83 years, every vehicle that has passed
through Gallup’s 14-mile “main drag” has
driven the Mother Road, Historic
Route 66, which once stretched continuously from Chicago to Los

inHistory
Angeles. The town’s central business district has never relocated and parking
meters were never installed. The colorful
neon signs associated opposite: A Zuni boy
performs
traditional
with the era are still Native American dances
at festivals throughout
part of the cityscape.
the year, including
summer performPick any interstate nightly
ances in Gallup. this
exit, absorb the linger- page top right: Lighted
columns
proudly
ing spirit of the area’s recognize the sacrifices
of area veterans in front
historic coal mining of McKinley County
House. below
and railroad eras and Court
right: A city of murals,
grasp the essence of the the diverse cultures of
Gallup are highlighted
region’s rich Native throughout the business
district. below: Historic
American
cultures. Route 66 remains the
trade route
You’re always welcome primary
through Gallup.
in Gallup.

INDIAN COUNTRY GALLUP

27

COLLECTING

Native
American
rt
A
G

enuine Native American-made arts and crafts are objects of intrinsic value and
enduring beauty that can be collected and treasured over generations. In order
to maximize the enjoyment of owning such items, it is well worth the effort for
casual purchasers as well as serious collectors to become knowledgeable shoppers.
While the vast majority of merchants dealing in Native American goods are scrupulously honest, consumers should be aware that a world market in fraudulent imitations does exist.
In the U.S., falsely representing imitations is illegal, which makes the practice of ‘buying
American’ one of the easiest steps toward ensuring authenticity. The Indian Arts and Crafts Act
of 1990, a truth-in-advertising law, prohibits misrepresentation in the marketing of counterfeit
Native American products within this country. The penalties are stiff, including possible prison

El Rancho Hotel is a member of The National Historic Places
and is the most enchanting hotel in the Southwest.

2010-2011 NEW MEXICO TRAVELER www.travelernm.com

I-40 Exit 22, 1 Block South
1000 East 66 Ave.
Gallup, NM 87301

time for
individual
first offenders
and fines up to $1
million for businesses.
Despite such high stakes,
however, millions of dollars worth of counterfeits
are sold annually. The practice not only harms consumers
but also undermines the livelihoods of Native American artisans and honest merchants.
American businesses purchase
products from around the world, of
course, and it is not a crime to
resell those products so long as the location
of origin is not misrepresented. Likewise,
labeling a product with a phrase such as
“Native American Inspired” is not prohibited, so is important to pay attention to terminology. The item is only considered genuine if one or more Native Americans have
done all the work involved in creating it.
Observation and common sense also
play a part in the purchase of genuine
items. Native American jewelry, for example, is handmade, not mass-produced.
Although several pieces in a display may be
very similar, they will not be completely
identical. Other indications of fraud that
savvy shoppers look for include signs that
country-of-origin stickers or markings have
been removed.

BUYER’S GUIDE

FOR PURCHASING NATIVE
AMERICAN ARTS AND CRAFTS
Ask the following questions when making a purchase:
Materials: Of what is the item made? If
there are stone settings, are they natural, stabilized, reconstituted or man-made?
Technique: Was the piece completely handmade, or was it made with manufactured
components or processes? For example, if
pottery, is it hand coiled, wheel thrown or
poured greenware? Is it fired outdoors or in
a kiln?
Artisan: What is his/her name? What is the
tribal affiliation? If the item is marketed only as
“Zuni” or “Navajo” jewelry, be sure it is made
by an individual who is a member or certified
Native American artisan of the Zuni Pueblo or
Navajo Nation. Is there any additional information on the artist’s career, awards, etc. which
can be included with the purchase?
Reprinted with the permission of the Indian Arts & Crafts
Association (IACA). iaca.com

Book your next party, event,
favorite sporting event, family
event or just because party.
Offering plated dinners as
well as buffet.

Breakfast 8am to 11am

We also book meetings with
your office groups, social
groups and any other meeting
you may have.

10:30am until 10pm,

Internet Hotspot

Daily & Sunday

Brunch 8am to 3pm
Coffee at 7am M-Th

F -Sat Until 12 Midnight,

107 West Coal Ave.
Gallup, NM 87301
505-863-2220

30

2010-2011 NEW MEXICO TRAVELER www.travelernm.com

Pawn
Genuine Native American-made arts
and crafts are objects of intrinsic value and
enduring beauty that can be collected and
treasured over generations. In order to
maximize the enjoyment of owning such
items, it is well worth the effort for casual
purchasers as well as serious collectors to
become knowledgeable shoppers. While
the vast majority of merchants dealing in
Native American goods are scrupulously
honest, consumers should be aware that a
world market in fraudulent imitations
does exist.
In the U.S., the penalties are stiff for
illegally labeling imitations as genuine
products, but the practice continues. The
item is only considered genuine if one or
more Native Americans have done all the
work involved in creating it.
For more than a century the world has
relied on Gallup area’s traders to provide
the best in genuine artistry and craftsmanship by tribal artisans of the Southwest.
The Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB)
of the U.S. Department of the Interior
supports Native American economic
development and provides a number for
reporting violations: Call (888) ARTFAKE or visit: http://www.iacb.doi.gov.
left: The Tanners inventory pawn in their
secure vault, a crucial element of the area’s
financial system.

Largest Selection of Navajo
Rugs in the Southwest

TRADERS SINCE 1860

One of the most interesting and colorful Indian trading
companies in the world can be found in downtown
Gallup on historic Route 66 - Richardsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Trading
Company and Cash Pawn, Inc. Established as traders on
the Navajo Reservation since the turn of the century,
the Richardson family continues a long and historic
tradition in Gallup, New Mexico.
Wood floors, pew-like benches, cases full of
polished silver and turquoise jewelry, piles of
richly-colored Navajo rugs, indian pottery, baskets,
beaded items, hundreds of unique, one-of-a-kind
Indian art pieces and the sweet smell of aged
leather saddles fill the interior of the store.

hether your last stop was Tucumcari, New Mexico or Kingman,
Arizona, you deserve a break and a meal that’s a cut above the rest.
Better yet, if the Badlands Grill’s signature rib eye steak, the “Black
Dahlia,” wet-aged for 21 days, cut in house & cooked to order, convinces you to stick around and explore Gallup, the staff will point you toward the
best shopping for Native American products anywhere in the world.
And you’ll want to come back to Badlands Grill tomorrow night, because it serves
dishes not likely found anywhere else along Interstate 40. The Chicken Cordon
Gallup is stuffed with green chile and mozzarella cheese and the Cowboy
Caviar…you got it, Rocky Mountain oysters and sweetbreads deep-fried in the
Grill’s signature beer batter.
Badlands Grill is a locally owned, upscale steak & seafood supper club harkening
back to the glory days of the Mother Road and the western heritage of the four-corners region. Enjoy the historical flavor and charm of the local area, with all the current sizzle of a new generation. The portions are large to do justice to the steaks and
BBQ baby back ribs - but the take-home boxes guarantee tomorrow's lunch. In
Gallup, just follow Historic Route 66 to Badlands Grill.

2010-2011 NEW MEXICO TRAVELER www.travelernm.com

Old West
T R A I L S

Published exclusively for
Old West Country as a supplement to
New Mexico Traveler

Unique shopping experiences, the arts and fascinating museums are the anchors for
Old West Country communities and the rapidly growing phenomenon of adventure tourism
begins at the edge of every town.

SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO
SIERRA COUNTY

SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO

The home of New Mexico’s premier water
sports destination is also an established center
for natural hot mineral baths and healing arts,
and the home of Spaceport America.
OW6
TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES
OW8
CITY OF ELEPHANT BUTTE

Rustlers, aliens and scientists were the muses
of writers and artists, but oil, gas and agriculture
are the foundation of artistic endeavors.
OW32 ARTESIA
OW36 ROSWELL

GRANT COUNTY
Historic mining communities on the edge of
vast tracks of forest and wilderness have
become havens for both outdoor enthusiasts
and the arts.
OW16 SILVER CITY
OW20 BAYARD, HURLEY & PINOS ALTOS

HIDALGO COUNTY
Old West ghost towns represent the area’s mining, stagecoach and steam locomotive eras, and
remote birding opportunities are present.
OW22 LORDSBURG

LUNA COUNTY
Hiking, rockhounding and international shopping
combine with wine, fast ducks, friendly people
and plenty of sunshine.
OW24 DEMING

Turtleback Mountain,
rising up from the Rio
Grande near Truth or
Consequences, has witnessed Sierra County’s
ages of mastodons and
Apache warriors and its
leap forward into the
age
of
Spaceport
America. Photos by Joe
Burgess. Design by
Debra Sutton.

Tie down your holsters and cinch up your saddles – you’ve just arrived in Old West
Country and you’re going to be amazed at the scenic beauty, the diversity, the history, the arts and at discovering the future for America. Southwest New Mexico has
managed to preserve its colorful past as it boldly snatches up the lead in commercial
space travel, solar power generation and algal biofuel.
this page: The
Expect the unexpected in Old West Country. It is covered with parks, intriguing landand
monuments, wildlife refuges, forests and recreation sites. Scenic byways scapes
skies of Old
traverse the mountain regions and the state’s largest recreational lake West Country
are reminiscent
provides an escape from city life. Prehistoric ruins tell the tales of hearty of its past and a
clue
to
its
and artistic cultures predating the Spanish and their artifacts are careful- exciting future.
photo by Debra
ly preserved in area museums.
Sutton.
Spanish colonizers developed the Rio Grande corridor of Old West
Country. Then came the westward migration, the Butterfield stage line and eventually the rails of the iron horse. The era of Civil War battles, gunfights and Indian skirmishes raged until justice finally gained the upper hand.
Visitor centers, centers for the arts, galleries and specialty shops full of friendly people will welcome you into a culture that truly makes you feel like family. Welcome to
America’s Old West.

THE CATWALK RECREATION TRAIL
Walkways suspended from narrow canyon walls
begin a trail that works its way into the Gila
Wilderness. The trailhead and picnic grounds
beneath large cottonwood and sycamore trees are
five miles east of US180 at Glenwood. 575-538-2801.

CITY OF ROCKS STATE PARK
A city of giant monoliths protruding unexpectedly
from the desert floor is located halfway between Silver
City and Deming, 5 miles east of US180. The park has
a visitor center, hiking trails, and a night sky observatory. Call for the observatory schedule. 575-536-2800.

ELEPHANT BUTTE LAKE STATE PARK
New Mexico’s largest lake offers opportunities for
boating, fishing, and swimming. Landlovers can find
hiking trails, birding, and year-round events. History
buffs will love the views of the 1916 dam and historic
district at Dam Site Recreation Area. 575-744-5421.

Attractions
REGIONAL

FORT SELDEN
An 1800s cavalry fort that was utilized by the Buffalo
Soldiers. A year-round visitor center and living history
demonstrations on weekends May through
September. Nineteenth century military encampments
second Saturdays monthly year-round. 575-526-8911

GILA CLIFF DWELLINGS NAT’L MON.
Follow the “Trail of the Mountain Spirits National
Scenic Byway” north from Silver City along NM15 or
NM35 to the national monument visitor center. Printed
matter and a movie provide information about the
13th century inhabitants of this pristine area. The Cliff
Dwellings are accessible by a short, well-maintained
trail. 575-536-9344.

NM FARM & RANCH HERITAGE MUSEUM
A large and intriguing display of farm and ranch
implements from the early Anasazi to modern times.
See live milking demonstrations and special presentations. 575-522-4100.

OLD MESILLA
A picturesque and historic Mexican/Old West plaza
is surrounded by a stately church and 1800s buildings filled with fabulous shopping and dining
opportunities. Additional shopping plazas with a
charm all their own are continuing to expand along
Avenida de Mesilla. 575-524-3262

THE RIO GRANDE
New Mexico’s lifeline flows through the Old West
communities of Socorro, T or C and Las Cruces. It
contributed water and food for early traders along
El Camino Real and now supports industry, agriculture, recreation and individual needs for New
Mexico’s central corridor. Visit the El Camino Real
International Heritage Center off I-25 at exit 115.

ROCKHOUND STATE PARK
Rock specimens scattered across the slopes of the
Florida (Flor-eeda) Mountains simply offer a great
excuse to explore the area. Rockhounds meet
regularly in the area southeast of Deming for
demonstrations, sales and trading. 575-546-6782.

THE CIBOLA NATIONAL FOREST
Magdalena Dist. made up of the largest collection of
historic ranchlands in New Mexico. 575-854-2281.

The stunning geology of Southwest New Mexico presents not only a wide gamut of
scenic vistas, but also the elements for an intriguing array of human land use.
Craggy peaks thrusting up from the historic Rio Grande Valley and the high Plains
of San Agustin, home of the incredible Very Large Array Radio Telescopes, are
among the Old West treasures offered residents and visitors alike. Parasailing on
New Mexico’s largest lake or photographing elk grazing on a pristine Alpine meadow are merely the enticements to a land of continuous adventure.
Early people of the region lived in pit houses and cliff dwellings this page: New
Mexico’s largest water
that can be experienced at the Gila Cliff Dwellings, a national sport attraction is
Elephant Butte Lake
monument surrounded on three sides by the country’s first desig- on the Rio Grande.
from top: Gila
nated wilderness. The unique pottery of the nearby Mimbres cul- right,
Cliff Dwellings Nat’l.
ture can be witnessed in the museums of Silver City, Deming, Las Monument, City of
Rocks State Park,
Cruces and Truth or Consequences. Spanish entry into the area is Bosque del Apache
National Wildlife Refchronicled at the Camino Real International Heritage Center uge, Fort Selden, The
Recreation
between Socorro and Truth or Consequences. Wild West episodes Catwalk
Trail,
Shakespeare
still unfold in mining and railroad ghost towns, plazas and a col- Ghost Town.
lection of forts scattered across the entire area.
The monoliths at City of Rocks State Park stand proud while the staggering Santa
Rita open pit copper mine scratches its way down into the earth’s crust. Vast national forests blanket much of the region, skirted on the east and south by interstate
highways paralleling the strategic El Camino Real and Butterfield Trails.
A national recreation trail at The Catwalk and a park specifically for rockhounds
near Deming contribute to the endless opportunities of Old West Country. Make
any Old West highway your destination byway.

THE PLAINS OF SAN AGUSTIN
The largest and highest grassland in North America,
and watch for grazing antelope. 866-854-3217.

VETERANS MEMORIAL
A permanent Vietnam Memorial Wall has been
erected in Truth or Consequences to honor those
who gave their lives for their country. 575-894-6600.

VERY LARGE ARRAY RADIO TELESCOPE
Twenty-seven dish-shaped antennas are spread
across three 13-mile tracks, one of which crosses
US60 between Socorro and Reserve. A visitor center
explains the mission of the project sponsored by the
National Radio Astronomy Observatory. 575-3888201.

OW4

OLD WEST TRAILS www.oldwestcountry.com 1-800-290-8330

RELICS

Realism
&

Old West Country is indeed the authentic Old
West, the real thing. Visitors discover that historic sites
in Southwest New Mexico are places where the past
can be seen, explored, touched, and with a little imagination, relived.
The walls of old forts stand as sentinels to the process
of change in the Southwest. Headframes from the era of
underground mining still dot the foothills from Truth
below: The Knights or Consequences to Silver City.
of Pythias Hall is Buildings still stand that were inhabitone of the few
surviving two-story ed by Old West bad boys like Billy the
commercial build- Kid and the Clantons. Mining and
ings of the boom
years in Socorro. railroad ghost towns throughout the
Note the cast-iron
elements of the area offer the unique and almost eerie
facade. As you drive feeling of meeting up with the spirit of
down
California
Street, you will a wronged gunfighter or dance hall
quickly recognize
the Owl Cigar girl. Even the dwellings of cultures
advertisement.
that predated the arrival of the Spanish
colonizers by centuries have been preserved. The wide
swaths of trails used for the movement of Spanish and
Mexican supplies between Mexico City and Santa Fe as
well as the westward movement of American wagon
trains can still be seen across desert landscapes.
The publishers of Old West Trails encourage visitors
to research specific sites and then enjoy an authentic
adventure back across time. Obtaining directions, road
conditions and other information locally is advised.
Verify the property status of the area you wish to visit
and always respect the rights of private property owners.

Forts

DOÑA ANA COUNTY
Fort Selden. A State Monument.

GRANT COUNTY
Fort Bayard. On the National
Register of Historic Places.
Santa Rita del Cobre Fort. A
replica of Fort Webster.

LUNA COUNTY
Fort Cummings Ruins.
Maintained by the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM).

SOCORRO COUNTY
Fort Craig. A BLM Special
Management area on the National Register of Historic Places.

SOCORRO COUNTY
Kelly. Obtain visitor’s pass at the
rock shop.
San Antonio. The Hilton section
is south of the present town.

Historic
Buildings
DOÑA ANA COUNTY
San Albino Church.

GRANT COUNTY
Silver City Museum.

LUNA COUNTY
Custom House.
Luna County Courthouse.
On the National Register of
Historic Places.

SIERRA COUNTY
The Pioneer Store. On the State
List of Historic Buildings.

SOCORRO COUNTY
Old San Miguel Mission.
The Capitol Bar.

OLD WEST COUNTRY

OW5

Truth
or
Consequences
SIERRA COUNTY

The Bridal Chamber
A Cavern of Solid Silver

Sometimes it pays to finish what has been started.

D

uring the 1880s a blacksmith named John Leavitt decided to expand his business
endeavors by purchasing a mining lease on a small piece of property owned by the
Sierra Grande Mining Company near Lake Valley, New Mexico. John chose to work a
shaft that had been started and then abandoned years earlier by successful local silver
miners George Lufkin and Chris Watson.
Using hand tools of the day, John set to work with enthusiasm. Two days and ten new feet of tunnel later, he broke through a natural wall into a cavern made almost entirely of pure silver.
Imagine it. Candles held close to the 12 foot ceiling caused pure, molten silver this page inset:
Historic
Lake
chloride, known to miners as horn silver, to melt and drip onto the floor.
Valley and mine
Although he had discovered the richest concentration of silver for its size ever in the site.
below:
Mounworld, John Leavitt fared only slightly better with the claim than Lufkin and Watson Turtleback
tain across from
had. Apparently underestimating the value of his discovery, he sold the lease back to the hot springs
mecca of Truth or
the mining company for mere thousands. In the following few years, the company Consequences.
took 2Â˝ million ounces of silver out of the cavern, which had been nicknamed the
Bridal Chamber. A railroad spur track was built right up to the entrance, because the silver ore was so
rich that it required no smelting before shipment.
Today, the town of Lake Valley is within easy driving distance of Truth or Consequences, NM.
The townsite itself is managed by the US Bureau of Land Management, and may be subject to
access regulations. The cemetery is unfenced, however. There, it may still be possible to locate the
final resting place of George Lufkin, the man who is credited with the first location of silver in the
area, and who was at one time only ten feet away from millions. He was buried in a pauperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grave.

OW6

OLD WEST TRAILS www.oldwestcountry.com 1-800-290-8330

Elephant Butte
SIERRA COUNTY

Fort McRae

and the Ghost Villages of
Elephant Butte Lake
"With his artillerymen cut down, his support either killed, wounded or flying
from the field, Capt. McRae sat down calmly on one of his guns, and with revolver
in hand, refusing to flee or desert his post, he fought to the last."
- The St. Louis Republican on March 23, 1862

Background photo courtesy Susan LaFont

T

hus did one newspaper of the day report the courageous death of Captain Alexander McRae
as he defended his cannons during the Civil War battle of Valverde, which occurred near Fort
Craig in New Mexico Territory. General Henry Sibley’s Texas Confederates won the battle,
but were unable to take the fort.
Just over a year later, the New Mexico Volunteers established a new fort about three miles east of the
Rio Grande near present-day Elephant Butte. Named Fort McRae after the fallen captain,
this page:
it was built in response to repeated Apache depredations in the E l e p h a n t
Lake is
ABOUT THE AREA
area. It was subsequently garrisoned by the California Butte
New Mexico’s
Known as “Americas Most Affordable Spa Town,”
Truth or Consequences has long been a destination for
Volunteers, and by regular federal troops after the war ended. largest water
sports facility.
those seeking to rejuvenate their spirit in its hot mineral waters. The Hot Springs Historic Bathhouse and
In the following years, several agricultural communities
Commercial District sits atop one of the largest hot
spring aquifers in North America. A complete range of
sprang up around the fort. Any names they may have had are lost to the past.
massage and healing arts treatments are available.
Downtown storefronts have been turned into galAfter Fort McRae was decommissioned in 1876, the villages remained. They
leries, boutiques and second hand stores. You will want
to visit the Geronimo Springs Museum and Geronimo
were finally condemned in the 20th century when Elephant Butte Dam was
Trails Visitor Center. The city is surrounded by some of
the state’s best adventure sports opportunities and hisbuilt. Today, Fort McRae and the villages built around it lie under the waters of
toric mining communities.
Elephant Butte Reservoir.
LOCATION
Truth or Consequences sits between I-25 and
the Rio Grande, atop hot springs generously
feeding local bathhouses and spas.

New Mexico’s Diamond in the Desert
Elephant Butte is the premiere recreation destination in the state of New Mexico.
Nestled along the shores of the largest lake in the state, the city of Elephant Butte
offers year-round sunshine and a comfortable climate.

massage • beauty salon
esthetic facials • take time for him
special offerings • perfect extras
escape on the lake package

Great Dining for 40 years
1400 N. Date St., Truth or Consequences, NM

(575) 894-6200

Elephant Butte Inn & Spa
401 Hwy. 195 • Elephant Butte, NM

www.elephantbutteinn.com
575.744.5431
OLD WEST COUNTRY ELEPHANT BUTTE

OW9

Socorro
SOCORRO COUNTY

The Historic Capitol Bar
A Legacy of Socorro’s Vineyards

If buildings could talk, some would have much more to say than others. The building
at 110 Plaza in Socorro, New Mexico, for example, could speak volumes.
It is a legacy of Socorro’s vineyard days of over a hundred years ago.

G

rape-growing and winemaking in the area began in the 1600s. It had an ideal climate for vineyards and
abundant water from the Rio Grande. When the railroads came to New Mexico in the 1880s, they provided the final ingredient that produced a prosperous boom in the wine industry here.
this page inset:
Immigrant Italian winemaker Giovanni Biavaschi wanted to sell his wine directly to the The Capital Bar on
historic
public, so in 1896 he and his brother Tabaschi built a saloon on the east end of Socorro’s historic plaza. Socorro’s
plaza. below: Treelined fairways at
It was later renamed the Capitol Bar, and listed in the New Mexico Register of Historic Places.
the championship
In the early 20th century Judge Amos Green, a Justice of the Peace, purchased the building. There he New Mexico Tech
Golf Course.
conducted his official business at the bar and detained offenders in a back-room jail. The jailor’s cage
was later removed, but the bars on the windows remained.
The building was later acquired by Fred Emilio, who painted the façade green and re-opened the bar for commercial business as the Green Front, in honor of the well-known previous owner of the property. Emilio’s new
business thrived for a while; then Prohibition came along.

OW10

OLD WEST TRAILS www.oldwestcountry.com 1-800-290-8330

ABOUT THE AREA

Touting a unique blend of nature, history and technology, Socorro is internationally renowned for the
migratory bird facilities at Bosque del Apache National
Wildlife Refuge, its San Miguel Parish serving weary
travelers on El Camino Real since 1615 and its
immense role with the National Radio Astronomy
Observatory. A notable destination for golfers, rockhounds, nature photographers, campers and hikers,
the town offers unique experiences found within an
hour’s drive in all directions.
At the center of town, the plaza offers a relaxing
venue for shoppers. A block away is the historic San
Miguel church and a few blocks further, the campus of
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology that
includes a mineral museum containing one of the
world’s finest mineral collections.
From Socorro, visitors can travel west through historic Magdalena to the high Plains of San Augustin
and the Very Large Array of radio telescopes. Traveling
south from Socorro and exiting at the village of San
Antonio, the 1880s parental home of Conrad Hilton,
visitors can continue south to the 57,000-acre wildlife
refuge, the ruins of Fort Craig and El Camino Real
International Heritage Center. Northeast of Socorro
are the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument,
impressive remnants of Spanish colonization efforts.

ATTRACTIONS
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Visitor
center, auto tour, hiking and year-round birding. 16
miles south of Socorro. 575-838-2120.
www.friendsofthebosque.org
Cibola National Forest–Magdalena Dist. Made up
of the largest collection of historic ranchlands in New
Mexico. 575-854-2281
El Camino Real International Heritage Center.
575-854-3600
Mineralogical Museum. More than 9,500 mineral specimens. Fossils. 575-835-5420. www.geoinfo.nmt.edu
NM Institute of Mining and Technology. 801 Leroy
Pl., on campus, 1-800-428-8324
N.M. Performing Arts Series. Call for schedule.
575-835-5688. www.nmtpas.org
Plains of San Agustin. The largest and highest
grasslands in North America. 866-854-3217
Old Kelly Mine. Mine ruins and many wonderful
specimens for rockhounds. 3 miles south of
Magdalena. 866-854-3217 www.magdalena-nm.com
Trinity Site. Site of world’s first atomic bomb explosion. Open twice a year; the first Saturday in April and
Oct.. 575-479-6124
The Box Car Museum. Local history, artifacts of Wild
West, mining, cattle drives, circa 1885-1930. Located
next to AT&SF Railroad Depot. 108 N. Main St.
Magdalena 575-854-2261 www.magdalena-nm.com
Very Large Array National Radio Astronomy
Observatory. Visitor center, self-guided tours, world’s
largest radio-telescope array on the Plains of San
Agustin. 575-835-7000. www.nrao.ed

The Green Front survived the years between
1919 and 1933 as a pool hall that also purveyed the finest moonshine to a select clientele.
A trap door located behind the bar offered easy
access to the basement and an escape route.
Not surprisingly, when Prohibition ended, the
Green Front became Socorro’s first newly legalized bar.
Willie and Frankie Emilio took over for their
father in 1937. They renamed the establishment the Capitol Bar and moved it to an adjacent building, only to see the place burn down
in 1940. The Capitol Bar moved back to the
old brick-and-stone Biavaschi saloon, where it
still operates today under different management. The establishment was struck by lightning in 1992, which occasioned an extensive
interior renovation.
The vineyards of the Socorro area were
wiped out by an unprecedented flood along
the Rio Grande in 1943. While this local
industry has taken a long time to recover,
Southwestern New Mexico is again becoming
known as a producer of fine wines. Out of 30
saloons that existed in Socorro in the 1890s,
only the Capitol Bar is still in business today.

Did you know that a family of four (with
children 8 and 16) can visit our top 10
attractions in Old West Country for as little
as $48. A couple for just $37.
In a series of nationwide surveys, Old
West Country in southwest New Mexico,
had consistently low vacation dollars spent
in this region. The latest study in December
2005 showed the average California couple
spent $2227 for their 4-6 night vacation in
Old West Country and the average Arizona
couple spent $697. The bargain vacation!
We contacted our attractions and to just
see what a family of four could buy in our
120 attractions for about $20.00. The
admissions to all of our top 10 attractions
was $48.00 for the family of 4, $37.00 for
a couple.
These attractions included the Gila Cliff
Dwellings, Old Mesilla, Elephant Butte
Lake, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife
Refuge, City of Rocks State Park, Very Large

OW12

Array Radio Telescope, The Catwalk, New
Mexico Farm and Ranch Museum,
Deming Luna Mimbres Museum and
Shakespeare Ghost Town. All for $48.
For $141.00 you’ve covered admission
to every one of our 120 popular attractions, less than $1.20 per family at each
attraction! $119.00 for a couple (99 cents

per attraction)! No matter where you go in
Old West Country the total cost for each of
the seven county-area's admission varies
from $3.00 to $47.00. Talk about affordable vacations!
For details on all 120 Old West Country
attractions and more information, check
out www.oldwestcountry.com/familyfun.

“It was a nightmare. We used to have…dogs a barkin’ and kids a hollerin’, and those steam engines would let off steam and turn the cattle and
it was a reael job to get them up to the corral. But we always got ’em
corralled. But the cattle, they aren’t used to peopled or nothin’…

C

atron County, New Mexico rancher Dave Farr was speaking with Brenda
Wilkinson and Mark Matthews of the Bureau of Land Management, as reported
by the Mountain Mail, Socorro, NM last February 4. Farr was laughing as he
recalled penning cattle at the end of a typical trail drive along the Magdalena
Stock Driveway, a 125 mile long corridor reserved for hoof traffic only. Used until the
early 1970s, the driveway connected cattle ranches as far away as Springerville, AZ, with a
railroad shipping point at Magdalena, NM, also known as “Trail’s End.”
Called the Magdalena Trail until 1916, when the land that comprises it was officially set
aside specifically for driving stock, the driveway got its start in 1885 when the Atchison,
Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad built a spur line to Magdalena. From there, it shipped not
only livestock, but timber and ore from the
ABOUT THE AREA
Sitting below 10,800-foot South Baldy Peak and just
area as well. Shipping pens were built at the
minutes away from the drop-off into the Rio Grande
rail head to contain the cattle and sheep.
Valley, the picturesque village of Magdalena, the “Trails
End,” celebrates its ties to the arts and to the Old West.
The driveway was five to ten miles wide, so
Serving the Navajo people and descendants of cattle
barons, railroaders and hard rock miners, the village also
that the animals could spread out and graze
welcomes the high-tech participants of the nearby Very
Large Array of radio telescopes.
along the way. Cattle could travel about ten
Galleries and shops occupying historic buildings house
artwork, Southwest furniture, Navajo jewelry and lots of
miles a day, and sheep about half that. Driving
collectables. Visit the “Box Car Museum” and the
restored Santa Fe Railroad Depot that serves as the
cattle full length of the trail during good weathMagdalena Village offices.
er took almost two weeks continuous travel, and
EVENTS
herding sheep took nearly a month. The
Apr Very Large Array GuidedTours. 575-835-7243
Egg Show at Bear Mountain Gallery.
Civilian Conservation Corps fenced the drive575-854-3310
Jun Magdalena Arts Festival & Studio Tour.
way and drilled wells every ten miles in 1930.
575-854-3310
Jul Old Timers Reunion. Rodeo, Pancake
The railroad shipping pens have been mainBreakfast, Arts & Crafts, BBQ, Music
and much more. 575-401-4352
tained
and are visible today north of the
Magdalena Old-Timers Reunion. 575-401-4352
Magdalena Old-Timers Parade. 575-854-2261
Visitors Center.
Aug
Oct
Nov
Dec

The Catwalk. Trail over suspended bridges in White-water
Canyon 5 miles east of Glenwood. 575-539-2711.
Clairmont. Ghost town 19 miles northeast of Glenwood.
575-533-6922
Cooney’s Tomb. Alma, 7 miles north of Glenwood. Burial
of soldiers killed in a conflict with Apaches.
Mogollon. Ghost town 13 miles northeast of Glenwood.
Snow Lake. In the Gila National Forest. Camping and fishing. 47 miles northeast of Glenwood.
Quemado Lake. Camping, fishing 11 miles so. of Quemado.
Whitewater Canyon. 5 miles east of Glenwood.
575-539-2711
WS Cemetery. WS Ranch B & B, Alma, 7 miles north of
Glenwood. 575-539-2513

LOCATION

Reserve is located at the junction of NM 12 and
the San Francisco River.

MORE INFORMATION

Catron County Chamber
(575) 533-6968 www.catroncounty.org

Photo by Debra Sutton

Relax and enjoy vacationing
in the heart of Glenwood.

e told me that if I wanted to, I could take his job. I told him that if he would take
me back to Frisco with him, that I would make myself a self-made deputy.”
This was the recollection of an older Elfego Baca, speaking of a time when he
was a nineteen-year-old store clerk from Socorro, New Mexico. The this
page:
mounbrash young man’s sudden career change soon led to one of the biggest, and Forested
tains, streams
and
lakes
are
downright strangest, peacetime gun battles in the history of the Old West.
the essence of
In an epic two-day occurrence that became known as the Frisco Shootout, Catron County.
some eighty angry ranch hands fired an estimated 4,000 shots at Elfego Baca, who was
returning gunfire from a rickety building of the type known as a jacal. The shack was riddled with holes during the standoff, and its dirt roof partially caved in. The door of the
structure, later introduced as evidence, contained over 400 bullet holes.
The battle was the culmination of increasing tensions between the citizens of San
Francisco Plaza, New Mexico - now known as Reserve - and cattle drovers, many from
Texas, who worked at outlying ranches.
On the morning of the second day of the ABOUT THE AREA
Three national forests share borders within this sparsely
shootout, the tired cowboys eyed the sunlight populated land of mountain lakes, hiking trails and campsites. Snow Lake on the north edge of the Gila Wilderness
streaming through the walls of the little shack, and Quemado Lake just south of US60 are excellent trout
waters where only electric boat motors are allowed.
and concluded that no one could have surIn Reserve, a bronze statue commemorates lawman
Baca, who endured a 33-hour shootout in 1884
vived the barrage. Then the morning breeze Elfego
against incredible odds.
Glenwood on US 180 is the hub for Catwalk National
carried the aroma of hot coffee and tortillas to Recreation
Trail, with metal walkways clinging to narrow
canyon
walls, and the ghost town of Mogollon, a picturthe men, and they knew that Elfego had not esque turn-of-the-last-century
gold mining camp.
only survived, but was about to enjoy breakATTRACTIONS
fast. The fusillade began again.
Alma. Historic community 7 miles north of Glenwood.

Outdoors

What the attackers at the jacal had no way
of knowing was that the dirt floor inside the
structure was 12 to18 inches below the outside ground level. In late afternoon of the
second day, a Socorro County deputy known
by Elfego arrived and offered to legally arrest
him in exchange for a guarantee of his personal safety. Elfego agreed, but insisted on
keeping his guns. His wishes were respected.
He emerged from the jacal without a scratch.

THE GREAT

The diverse opportunities for creating awesome outdoor adventures in Old West Country
will wrangle your imagination. Battling a trophy
striped bass on New Mexico’s largest warmwater lake or a feisty rainbow trout in a cold
mountain stream will certainly enhance your
vision of the Desert Southwest. Herds of grazing
elk and clouds of migrating waterfowl can alter
the horizon and power up your production of
adrenaline. Hiking trails and biking trails traverse the entire region.
Rock climbers and mountain cyclists are
drawn by rugged terrain, sparse populations and
a near-perfect climate. Guides are ready to provide wilderness horseback trips for riders of all
experience levels. Those who prefer touring by
car can enjoy the old mining towns and mountain vistas of the area’s scenic byways.
Old West Country offers abundant opportunities for birding and rockhounding. Hikers enjoy
the solitude of three national forests and two
major wilderness areas. State Park and Bureau of
Land Management trails showcase the beauty and
challenges of the region’s desert landscapes.
Elephant Butte and Caballo Lakes on the Rio
Grande provide excellent conditions for numerous species of sporting fish. Elephant Butte is
host to a full range of water sports including
water skiing, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving, jet
skiing and parasailing.
Southwest New Mexico’s cold, clear streams
and mountain lakes provide the challenges that
keep the true sportsman returning for more.
Hand or electric-powered boats, only, are permitted at these smaller, ‘no wake’ lakes.

Alma Store & Grill

HIKING
Apache, Cibola and Gila
National Forest personnel
maintain
trail
networks
throughout the vast mountain
region of Old West Country.
Specific hiking areas include
Aguirre Springs National Recreation Area at Las Cruces,
Catwalk National Recreation
Trail at Glenwood and segments of the Continental
Divide Trail around Silver City.
575-388-8201

BIKING
Mountain biking roads and
trails are scattered throughout Old West Country, while
the sanctioned Tour of the
Gila 5-day bicycle stage race
is held annually in Silver City.
Check with local visitors centers for recommendations.

ROCKHOUNDING
Gem and mineral activity is
found throughout southwest
New Mexico. Specific points
of interest include the
Mineral Museum at the New
Mexico Institute of Mining
and Technology in Socorro,
Rockhound State Park near
Deming and the Chino open
pit copper mine near Silver
City. 575-388-8201.
Among the state’s major fishing waters are Elephant Butte
and Caballo Lakes on the Rio
Grande. Mountain lakes and
streams are scattered throughout the Gila and Apache
National Forests, including
Lake Roberts, Bear Canyon
Lake, Bill Evans Lake, Snow
Lake and Quemado Lake.
http://www.state.nm.us or
575-476-8000.

See our collection of antique photos and western memorabilia.

HC 61 Box 169, Alma, NM • 575.539.CAFE (2233)

Angelwings

BOATING &
WATER SPORTS
Photo by Judy Wuthrich

Coordinated Care LLC.
& Angelwings Home Care

Glenwood Office: 575.539.2227
Silver City Office: 575.534.0311

Late fall migratory birds provide spectacular bird watching and photo opportunities
at Bosque del Apache
National Wildlife Refuge near
Socorro. The Rio Grande and
Gila River systems and all
mountain regions are host to
year-round birding. Hummingbirds provide a real treat in
warmer months in the Lake
Roberts and Gila Cliff
Dwelling areas. 575-388-8201

FISHING

Family Owned
and Operated.
• Restaurant • Fuel
• Groceries • Ice
• Video Rentals
Open 7 Days a Week. Restaurant Open Daily 6am to 3pm
Breakfast Served All Day! Mexican and American dishes.

Serving Catron and
Grant Counties.
Homemaker Services.

BIRDING

Water skiing, scuba diving, jet
skiing, sailing, parasailing and
much more are typical activities at Elephant Butte Lake
State Park. At most of the
smaller mountain lakes, only
electric powered motorboats
are allowed.

OLD WEST COUNTRY RESERVE/GLENWOOD

OW15

ABOUT THE AREA

Silver City numbers talk.
There are three million acres
of forest and wilderness covering the city’s back yard,
crisscrossed by 1500 miles of
trails. Three hundred ten
species of birds have been
identified in the region. Thirty
art galleries are bursting with
a friendly, small town atmosphere and you won’t find better year-round weather figures…anywhere.
The Mogollon culture was
enjoying this climate some
800 years ago and the
Mimbres people were painting
creative images on pottery.
Today, you can drive to the
Gila Cliff Dwellings National
Monument or simply visit area
museums to learn about this
ancient artistic culture.
Centuries later, the Apache
leader Geronimo was born
near the headwaters of the
Gila River and is recognized
by a monument erected at the
cliff dwellings visitor center.
Silver City consists of
an intriguing collection
of Victorian homes
and a historic business district that
includes restaurants and coffee
shops, galleries,
day spas, specialty shops and
two
highly
informative
museums.
Silver City is a
haven for both
mountain bikers
and serious road
bikers. Photographers can enjoy
hiking a trail system within the city
limits and driving
the Trail of the
Mountain Spirits
National Scenic
Byway that begins
in Silver City.

OW16

Silver City
GRANT COUNTY

Billy The Kid

Dishwasher Turned Desperado
“September 16, 1874 - Catherine McCarty-Antrim:
"Died in Silver City on Wednesday, the 16th, Catherine,
wife of William Antrim, aged 45 years.
Mrs. Antrim with her husband and family came to Silver City about one year and a half ago,
since which time her health has not been good, having suffered from an affection of the lungs,
and for the last four months she has been confined to her bed. The funeral occurred from the
family residence on Main Street at 2 o'clock on Thursday."
—Silver City Mining Life, September 19, 1874

C

atherine was interred in what is now Memory Lane Cemetery in Silver City,
New Mexico, where she has rested for 136 years. She had moved to Silver City
hoping to find relief from tuberculosis, without knowing
this page: Downthat she had arrived too late. Her death left two young sons, town Silver City has
Joseph and Henry McCarty, to fend for themselves. Their stepfather, preserved the best
of its previous Old
William Antrim, was off in the gold fields somewhere. Joseph West and mining
filling its hiswould go on to live a full life, dying in 1930 at age 76. Henry eras,
toric buildings with
would become known as Billy the Kid, pursued across the West by shops, art galleries,
coffee shops and
mounted lawmen, and die violently before his 22nd birthday.
museums.
Following his mother’s funeral, fourteen-year-old Billy got a job
washing dishes in a Silver City Chinese restaurant. He worked hard and prospered
for a time. Some say it was a few pounds of missing butter that started him on the
road to ruin; others say that he was hired to help one adult play a prank on anoth-

er. Just the same, he ended up in jail for his
efforts, then escaped.
Whatever started things rolling in the
wrong direction, two patterns were beginning to emerge in the character traits of
young Billy the Kid. One was that he was a
good dishwasher, and could easily find such
employment when necessary. The second
was that throughout his short life, Billy
never stayed in jail for very long.
In Shakespeare, NM, Billy washed dishes
at the Stratford Hotel, where a man was
once shot to death in a dining room dispute
over a single fried egg. Later, Billy broke jail
in Mesilla, NM, where he was sentenced to
hang, and again in Lincoln, NM where he
killed a sheriff ’s deputy with the deputy’s
own shotgun.
During his career, Billy is said to have
killed more than 20 men in cold blood, and

his exploits in the Lincoln County War are
well known. Though these deeds may have
become contributing factors, the main reasons for Billy’s eventual demise were his
apparent business savvy and his fascination
with stealing Texas cattle.
Billy sensed the underlying principle behind
‘dead-heading,’ which is an easily understood
cargo practice still avoided by freighting companies today. Having delivered a cargo to a far
off place, a freighter can either return home
with the payment and an empty vehicle, or
look around for another load of cargo that can
be taken back home and sold on the same trip,
which will cost the same either way.
In Billy’s case, he drove stolen New Mexico
horses into Texas, where they were readily purchased. Pocketing the money, he then drove
stolen Texas cattle into New Mexico to sell,
which aroused the anger of the Texans. The
Panhandle Cattlemen’s Association voted to
pursue Billy the Kid using every man available,
and soon a posse thundered into New Mexico.
Out of the dozen that arrived, Lincoln
County Sheriff Pat Garrett selected four stock
detectives and his own deputies to continue
pursuit. The results were Billy’s capture, conviction and subsequent violent escape from
the Lincoln County Jail. Two lawmen,
including the deputy
previously mentioned, were killed in the incident. After that, Billy’s fate was sealed.
Billy the Kid is said to have been shot by
Pat Garrett in a darkened room in Fort
Sumner, NM, after other authorities believed
Billy had escaped into Mexico. Several theories still exist regarding the actual identity of
the deceased.

Silver City’s best value!
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Close to Silver City Historic Downtown

"Hear ye! Hear ye! This honorable court is now in session,
and if anybody wants a snort before we start, step up to the
bar and name your poison."

Conveniently located
just 7 miles north of
Silver City on NM Hwy. 15.

575.388.4501
888.388.4515

– Judge Roy Bean

Make reservations
& view availability online

ears before Roy Bean became a justice of the peace and established business at
Vinegaroon, TX, he operated Bean’s General Store in Pinos Altos, New Mexico along
with his brother Samuel. Acting on hearsay, the two had migrated to Birchville - soon
to be again renamed Pinos Altos - following the first successful gold
this page:
A
prospecting venture among a string of failures for Colonel Jasper burro powered
mill for
Snively and his partners Henry Burch and James W. Hicks. The trio grinding
gold ore has been
preserved at the
named the gold-bearing waterway ‘Bear Creek.’
Arrastra Site near
A restored heirloom of the resulting local mining boom can be viewed the picturesque
mountain village
just north of Pinos Altos at an authentic ore reduction site. Breaking ore of Pinos Altos.
out of its hard-rock matrix was different than panning gravel in a stream.
Since there were no stamp mills in the area at the time of the strike, miners relied on donkey-powered Mexican devices called arrastras. A large rock chained to the opposite end of
the fulcrum beam shown in the photos smashed the ore into powder, which was mixed
with quicksilver (mercury) and removed for further reduction.

welcomes you
to our mining district cities of
Hurley, Bayard &
Santa Clara.
The Town of Hurley, founded in 1910, will be celebrating 100
years May 8, 2010. Enjoy the Kneeling Nun scenic vista
(pictured above) surrounded by rock-faced mountains.

ABOUT THE AREA
New Mexico’s richest mining district stretches
across Grant County. Pinos Altos was the site of
an early gold rush and more recent underground
copper mining. Once the county seat, historic
buildings house eateries, museums and the
Hearst Church Gallery.
The Town of Bayard has historically served the
work forces of large underground and open pit
copper, lead and zinc mining operations.
Underground mining has ceased, but the old head
frames can be seen as one travels north on
NM356 from Bayard. Turning east on NM152, visitors can overlook the massive open pit mining
operation at Santa Rita, where copper has been
mined since the 1800s.
Hurley served as the management center for
the largest of the area mines, as well as the location for copper smelting activities. The smelter is
gone, but community activities have surged. The
just-established railroad museum, the old company store, now a distinguished art gallery, and
Infant Jesus Catholic Church are among the
prominent sights of Hurley.
Another historic jewel of the area is Fort
Bayard National Historic Landmark, National
Cemetery and state game reserve. Well-preserved officer’s quarters and a statue of a Buffalo
Soldier on the parade grounds are the backdrops
for annual reenactments of the 1800s cavalry era.

ATTRACTIONS

Fort Bayard. U.S. Infantry post built in 1863.
Housed Buffalo Soldiers. 10 miles east of
Silver City.
Old Hurley Company Store. One of the first buildings
in Hurley - supplied miners and their families, housed
the Chino Mine payroll office and later served as a
department store.

Kneeling Nun. Natural monolith resembling a
praying nun. 15 mi. E. of Silver City at Santa Rita
mine.
Hearst Methodist Church. Built by the Hearst family
circa 1898. Currently home to the Grant County Art
Guild.
Pinos Altos Melodrama Theater. Adjacent to the
Buckhorn Saloon in the Pinos Altos Opera House.
Great fun! Original melodramas. Call for schedule.
575-388-3848

Bayard and Hurley are located on US180
in the heart of New Mexico’s largest and
most historic mining district. Pinos Altos is
located on NM Hwy 15 just 7 miles north
of Silver City.

below: old courthouse in
Hillsboro. above, from left:
school house museum at
Lake Valley, underground
mining operation near Hanover, Kelly Mine works near
Magdalena, old ore car at
Chloride, Fort Cobre in Pinos
Altos, assay office in Kingston,
general store in Mogollon.

HISTORIC

Mining
TOWNS

A number of the towns that the mining industry
built in its heyday remain today in Old West
Country, but the ringing of double-jack hammers
and the roar of black powder are sounds that have
faded from the foothills. Several of the towns are still
lightly inhabited, have become repopulated or are
presently managed by government agencies. All of
them played a role in creating the wealth of Old
West Country and the nation.
The towns of Winston, Chloride, Lake Valley,
Hillsboro and Kingston are historic mining towns
forming an informative day trip from the Truth or
Consequences area. The mining villages of Pinos
Altos and Fierro are accessed from Silver City. The
scenic mining community of Mogollon is accessible
from Glenwood and Kelly is near Magdalena.

CHLORIDE Mineral: Silver. The
Pioneer Store has been turned
into a world-class museum, and
the Monte Cristo Saloon is now
an upscale gallery.
FIERRO Mineral: Copper, Iron
and Zinc. The first copper mine
was established by a German
immigrant in 1841. A small population remains today.
HILLSBORO Mineral: Gold. Post
office opened in 1879 and has
never closed. Served as county
seat for 54 years. Over 200 residents remain in the village.
KINGSTON Mineral: Silver.
Founded in 1882, the population peaked at 7000. Remaining
buildings include assay office,
Percha Bank and Victorio Hotel.
LAKE VALLEY Mineral: Silver.
Managed by the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM). The
Bridal Chamber, a legendary
large deposit of almost pure silver, was discovered here.
KELLY Mineral: Lead, Copper,
Zinc and Silver. A small church,
several ruins and foundations
and remnants of the mine works
remain as testimony to the
once-bustling town located just
south of Magdalena.
MOGOLLON Mineral: Gold and
Silver. Located on the northern
edge of the Gila Wilderness
near Glenwood, its precious
metal bullion was once hauled
to Silver City by mule teams.
PINOS ALTOS Mineral: Gold.
Named for the tall trees in the
area. Village merchants accepted gold dust in trade well into
the 20th century.
WINSTON Mineral: Silver.
Originally called Fairview, it was
home to about 200 people who
preferred the quieter town over
nearby rambunctious Chloride.

MORE INFORMATION

Silver City Grant County
Chamber of Commerce
(575) 538-3785 1(800)548-9378
www.silvercity.org
City of Bayard (575)537-3327
www.bayardminingtours.gov

OLD WEST COUNTRY BAYARD, HURLEY & PINOS ALTOS

OW21

Lordsburg
HIDALGO COUNTY

The Ralston City

Diamond Hoax
"This is the greatest [diamond] field ever, for it not only produces
diamonds for us to find, but it cuts them as well."

G

eologist Clarence King had found a lapidary mark on a rough diamond from the field. With his discovery, the Diamond Hoax of 1872 began to unravel. A chapter of that same story was also one of
the stranger episodes in the colorful history of Shakespeare, New Mexico.
It started in San Francisco, CA when two tired-looking prospectors named Arnold and Slack
entered the Bank of California with a small rawhide bag to deposit for safekeeping during their stay in town. As they
knew he would, the teller looked in the bag as soon as the prospectors left. It was full
of diamonds. Racing upstairs, he showed the bag to bank president William
Ralston who immediately sent samples out for verification. He questioned the
prospectors, who reluctantly disclosed the location of the discovery.
Ralston was so prominent in the Southwestern New Mexico silver boom that
present-day Shakespeare was then called Ralston City. After having the diamond
field enthusiastically verified by an independent geologist, Ralston reportedly paid Arnold and Slack
$600,000 for their claim. The prospectors retired. Ralston organized a mining company and sold
stock. News of the diamond strike spread around the world, but the compathis page: A
ny always kept its location secret. When the San Francisco Chronicle report- makeshift cross
the
ed that the site was within a thousand miles of San Francisco and a few miles overlooks
rowdy ghost town
from Mexico, it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take fortune hunters long to converge on Ralston City. of Shakespeare
near Lordsburg.
The town, which had dwindled after the silver boom faded, flourished again.
Just before the hoax was exposed, the Chronicle reported that the claim was really in Colorado. The claim,
however, had been salted, presumably by Arnold and Slack.
Ralston City emptied out again, leaving a newly refurbished town, soon to be newly
named, for new settlers who would arrive during the next silver boom seven years later.

ABOUT THE AREA
For a genuine glimpse of the Old West, Lordsburg and
Hidalgo County put time in reverse. Artifacts displayed at
the Lordsburg Hidalgo Museum breathe life back into the
area’s ghost towns and highlight its mining, railroad,
ranching and farming heritage.
A couple of miles away, but over a hundred years up
the road, the ghost town of Shakespeare boldly hangs
onto its rip-roaring past. A mining camp and stage stop
on the Butterfield Trail, some of the fiercest outlaws in the
Old West once passed the time.
Southwest of Lordsburg, the arts village of Rodeo
showcases the work of local artisans. Visit Roger
McKasson’s Studio/Gallery in Rodeo, the Chiricahua
Guild and Art Gallery in the old mission church and the
Chiricahua Desert Museum.
Declared an “outstanding natural area for birding habitat,” Guadalupe Canyon in the Southwest corner of
Hidalgo County and Cave Creek in the Chiricahua
Mountains host species found no where else in the
United States. Hiking, camping and stable night skies for
stargazing are abundant.
North of Lordsburg, the Lower Gila Box Wilderness
Study Area provides access to petroglyphs and some 170
species of birds.

ATTRACTIONS

Lordsburg Hidalgo Museum. This Old West museum
documents the early history in which the nearby ghost
towns took root. 710 E 2nd St. Open M-F 1-5 PM.
575-542-9086.
Gila National Forest. Almost one fourth of the 3.3 million acre forest is in wilderness. Largest of these is the
438,360 acre Gila Wilderness, set aside in 1924 as the
first such area in the United States.
Rodeo. On the NM-AZ border in southern Hidalgo Co.,
Rodeo is a small art center with the Chiricahua Guild &
Gallery located in an old Mission Church, the StudioGallery of internationally renowned artist and sculptor
Roger McKasson, and the Chiricahua Desert Museum
with live reptile displays, a gift shop and gallery. The area
offers facilities for travelers.
Portal and Cave Creek. This famous birding area is the
only place in North America that you can see Olive
Warblers, Red-faced Warblers, and Mexican Chickadees.
Portal also has a wide variety of hummingbird species.
Portal offers lodging and food.
Redrock Wildlife Area. Located on the Gila River and
is operated by the NM Game & Fish Dept. All animals are
protected within the refuge even during hunting seasons.
The main project at the reserve is the breeding and
growth of the Desert Big-Horn Sheep.
Shakespeare Ghost Town. 2.5 miles southwest of
Lordsburg. Open monthly for guided tours. Call for schedule. 575-542-9034 www.shakespeareghostown.com
Peloncillo Mountains Wilderness. Ragged and
rugged, the historic Butterfield Stage Route forms the southern boundary.

Contact the Lordsburg Hidalgo County Chamber of
Commerce to check on events and dates, as changes
may occur throughout the year. 575-542-9864
Fx: 575-542-9059. email: lordsburgcoc@aznex.net.

LOCATION
Lordsburg is located at the junction of I-10, US70
and NM90 near the Butterfield Trail stage stop of
Shakespeare.

MORE INFORMATION
Lordsburg Hidalgo County Chamber of Commerce
(575) 542-9864 www.LordsburgHidalgoCounty.net
email: lordsburgcoc@aznex.net
OLD WEST COUNTRY LORDSBURG

OW23

Deming
LUNA COUNTY

Lottie Deno

Elegant Enigma of the Old West
“Look, I mind my own business and I suggest you do the same.”

S

o spoke the fine-looking lady with red hair and dark eyes, who was wearing a blue silk dress that day.
The newspaper reporter who had initiated the conversation might have hesitated to approach her in
the first place, had he known that she was carrying a gun.
To many who study Old West history, Lottie Deno remains a mysterious figure whose actual name
is even in doubt. What is certain is that she was a professional poker player who plied her trade, and
resided for a time, in the silver mining community of Georgetown, New Mexico.
There are many different ways of mining silver, a few of which do not require digging in the this page: The
Florida Mountains
dirt or breaking rocks. Lottie’s method was one of the latter. For her, the game of poker - which and Spring Canyon
the backshe had learned from her father - was strictly business, and minding her own business was some- provide
drop for the visitor
thing she did with impeccable skill. She was always known to be well-groomed and dressed in center at Rock hound State Park.
the latest finery. She permitted no smoking, drinking or swearing among her clientele, which
was a difficult requirement to enforce on a riverboat, in a saloon or a gambling house. Just the same, men lined
up for a chance to play cards with the pretty lady. It is said that after a bar room shootout left two men dead
on the floor, only Lottie remained inside the place. She was counting up her winnings. When asked by the sheriff why she was still seated amid the corpses and clutter, she simply replied, “You have never seen a desperate
woman,” and continued counting her chips.
Lottie Deno was most likely born under the name of Carlotta Thompkins, in Kentucky in 1844. After her
father was killed fighting for the confederacy in the Civil War, she migrated to Texas while still a minor.

OW24

OLD WEST TRAILS www.oldwestcountry.com 1-800-290-8330

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•
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•
•

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and nicest courtyard in town.
Cool off in our new outdoor swimming pool
Suites with large jacuzzi tubs
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Exterior room entrances • Pets stay free
Completely renovated with all new
Serta Perfect Beds

Lazy Lizard Bar & Grill
Serving a tasteful selection of great food in our
comfortable dining room.
Relax and watch the game on three TVs while
enjoying your favorite cocktail in the bar.

Located off I-10 @ Exit 85
4600 E. Pine St. • Deming, NM 88030
575.546.2661 • www.HolidayInn.com
ABOUT THE AREA

Deming and Luna County have bragging rights to mild
weather and lots of sunshine. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy a
list of activities that includes golf, hiking, rockhounding, birding and the Great American Duck Race.
Savvy gem and mineral collectors already know about
Rockhound State Park, where visitors are encouraged to
gather up to 15 pounds of mineral specimens for their own
collections. The park offers a visitor center and a wide
range of amenities for campers, hikers and birders as well
as a botanical and native pollinator garden and a labyrinth.
Spring Canyon, a secluded day use area where the birding
is said to be especially good, is practically adjacent to
Rockhound. Two other popular state parks include historic
Pancho Villa State Park near the Mexican border and City
of Rocks, a short drive north.
Tour New Mexico’s largest vineyards and premier
wineries in Deming, and enjoy low-impact aerobic activity
on the trails at Voiers Park or on a walking tour of the historic downtown district filled with galleries, antique shops,
coffee shops, an impressive museum and friendly people.
Pancho Villa State Park includes an RV campground, a
visitor center and museum and there is a railroad museum
in Columbus.

Following a brief stay in San Antonio, where she met her future husband, Frank
Thurmond, the couple moved to Fort Griffin, TX. There, Lottie acquired her new name
after a losing cowboy left the table declaring that she should change her name to ‘Lotta
Dinero,’ which is Texican slang for ‘a lot of money.’ The idea made sense to Lottie, who
had never told her mother and sister how she made a living.
above: A carpet
Frank, also a professional gambler, had been forced into a fight of poppies spring
up after summer
with a customer back in San Antonio, and that customer had died rains at City of
State Park
from a knife wound. When the same thing happened again in Rocks
north of Deming.
Georgetown, it was deemed to be a case of self-defense on Frank’s Weathering of an
old volcanic lava
part, but by then Frank and Lottie had grown weary of their chosen flow created an
intriguing boulder
livelihoods.
formation.
One of the few graces of living in the Old West was that it was easy
to start over, and few intelligent people asked newcomers about their past lives. Frank
and Lottie moved some 50 miles down the road to Deming, New Mexico where they
started life anew as respectable citizens. Frank directed his skills toward business and real
estate, eventually becoming vice-president of a local bank. The couple built a fine house.
Lottie, apparently never a stay-at-home sort of woman, did her part for the community as well. Although she had sworn off
dealing cards after Georgetown, she
ATTRACTIONS
City of Rocks State Park. Rock formations formed
hosted a charity poker match in
over 34 million years ago during a volcanic eruption.
Overnight campsites; visitor center; botanical garden;
Deming featuring old family friend
wildlife; hiking; and more. Located 30 miles NW of
Deming on US 180 and NM 61. 575-536-2800
Doc Holliday, of Tombstone fame. The
Deming Luna Mimbres Museum. Minerals, gems,
reported $40,000 in proceeds went
frontier military history and Mimbres exhibits.
301 S. Silver. 575-546-2382.
toward the construction of St. Luke’s
www. DemingLunaMimbresMuseum.com
Luna Rossa Winery.
Episcopal Church.
575-544-1160. www.LunaRossaWinery.com
Lottie and Frank were lifelong partRockhound State Park. Collect up to 15 lbs of
rocks. The 250-acre park haspicnic facilities; overners. Frank died in 1908, and Lottie in
night camping; hiking trails; wildlife; and exhibits on
local history of Buffalo Soldiers, Apache Indians and
1934. Although she was known as the
more. 14 miles southeast of Deming. 575-546-6182
Spring Canyon State Park. Realize a serene
Queen of Cards, the Angel of San
beauty and complete sense of isolation. Picnicking
facilities. Ibex, wild goats from Iran, may be encounAntonio and Faro Nell - among other
tered. 575-546-6182 www.cityofdeming.org
names - during her gambling career,
St. Clair Winery & Visitor Center. 575.546.1179
www.stclairvineyards.com
Lottie Deno may be best remembered
Pancho Villa State Park. Located on the site of
old Camp Furlong where Villa raided the U.S. This 61today as the inspiration for the character
acre park offers a massive desert botanical garden,
of red-headed saloon owner ‘Miss Kitty’
camping and museum/visitor center. 575-531-2711
U.S. and Mexico Port of Entry. 24-hour crossing
on the long-running TV series,
Columbus / Palomas. 3 miles south of Columbus.
575-531-2686
‘Gunsmoke,’ which is still in syndication.

OLD WEST TRAILS www.oldwestcountry.com 1-800-290-8330

Publisher’s Note: Documents are required for returning to the United
States. Check with U.S. Customs before leaving the U.S. All items
purchased in Mexico must be declared when returning to the U.S. and
Mexican law strictly forbids carrying guns or ammunition into Mexico.

The Albert Fountain
Mystery: A Secret of the Sands
“If you drop this we will be your friends. If you go on with it you will never reach home alive.”

T

he tersely-worded note had been handed to attorney Albert Jennings Fountain during a court recess in Lincoln,
New Mexico. In his role as investigator and prosecutor for the Southeast New Mexico Stock Growers Association,
attorney Fountain had traveled to Lincoln from the Las Cruces area to secure 32 grand jury indictments for known
cattle rustlers. It seemed there were others in Lincoln who were also aware of his business there.
this page: The
Fountain was no stranger to violence or threats. Before studying law, he had been a soldier, miner and rugged
Organ
freighter. He had once killed a man in a duel in Texas, and had defended Billy the Kid on a charge of mur- Mountains reflect
an evening glow
der after the death of Lincoln county Sheriff William Brady.
across Las Cruces
the historic
Fountain had many enemies, but none more vehement than Albert Bacon Fall, who, like Fountain, was and
Town of Mesilla.
an attorney and large-scale land owner. Fall, however, was a confirmed Democrat, and Fountain an ardent
Republican. Fall was also corrupt, hated Fountain and was known to consort, and exchange favors, with the rustlers.
On January 30, 1896, Fountain and his young son Henry left Lincoln in their covered buckboard carriage for the four day,
140 mile return trip home. They never made it. Searchers later found the buckboard twelve miles off the road in the shifting
white sands of the Tularosa Basin. Aside from some blood, shell casings and personal effects no remains were ever located.
In the following years, Lincoln County Sheriff Pat Garrett, the man who killed Billy the Kid, put together a case in the presumed murders of the Fountains. The three accused men were successfully defended in court by none other than Albert Fall himself, and acquitted. No suggestion has been made, or is being made here, that Fall had
ABOUT THE AREA
anything else to do with the alleged crime. After that, the matter was mostly forgotten.
Las Cruces is one of the nation’s top communiAlbert Fall went on to become a U.S. senator before being appointed Secretary of the
ties for business and retirement. Visitor opportunities include museums, galleries, a restored downInterior. In that office he played a central role in the infamous Teapot Dome Scandal.
town main street area, a river walk ending at Mesilla
Valley Bosque State Park and scenic hiking trails on
The swindle was exposed; Fall was publicly humiliated and eventually spent a year in
both sides of the rugged Organ Mountains.
Old Mesilla offers an escape from daily stress
prison. He was the first cabinet member ever convicted and incarcerated for a major
with a traditional plaza surrounded by Spanish territorial
architecture and the towers of San Albino
crime committed while still in office. Although he died in 1944, Fall was recently
Basilica. The village provides excellent dining and
one-of-a-kind shops and galleries. It was the
named one of Time Magazine’s “Top 10 Worst Cabinet Members.”
regional headquarters for the Butterfield Stage and
the site where Billy the Kid was sentenced to hang.

Fort Selden. An 1800s cavalry
fort that was utilized by the
Buffalo Soldiers. Visitor center
and living history demonstrations. 575-526-8911
Leasburg Dam State Park.
Fishing, campsites and swimming. 19 miles northwest of
Las Cruces. 575-524-4068
Mesilla Mercado. Local produce & crafts. Every Thurs. &
Sun. on Mesilla Plaza. 524-3262
New Mexico Farm & Ranch
Heritage Museum. 3000 years
of New Mexico agricultural his

tory. 4100 Dripping Springs
Rd.575-522-4100 www.frhm.org
Stahmann Farms Country
Store. Candy and crafts made
with local pecans. 7 miles
south of Las Cruces. 1-800654-6887. www.stahmanns.com
San Albino Church. Mission
church built 1907. Old Mesilla
Plaza. 575-526-9349
St. Clair Winery. A variety of
local wine. 1800 Avenida de
Mesilla. 575-524-0390.

OLD WEST TRAILS www.oldwestcountry.com 1-800-290-8330

LOCATION

Las Cruces and Old Mesilla
straddle the Rio Grande at
the junction of I-10 and I-25,
46 miles north of El Paso.

A CITY WITHIN A CITYâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; As you enter our lobby for the first time, you realize that you have entered a
city unto itself. Southwestern ambience is all around you as you discover the lush interior courtyard with its
indoor heated pool, the wonderful Sabor Restaurant and Bar, and the variety of shops on our promenade.
You realize that an entire village has opened up before your eyes.
Our promenade includes Sebastian's Hair Salon - a full service salon for nails and hair with a masseuse and esthetician also
available. Near Sebastian's is the wonderfully exotic Regalos y Art Gift Shop, featuring Maria Cristina's charming art collection.
Lucas Pipe and Tobacco newsstand has one of the areas most complete and finest humidors. Unquestionably Lucas's is the most well
informed and the best stocked cigar shop in the southwest. The Sabor Restaurant and
Bar features International, Latino and Asian Fusion cuisine complemented by specialty
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margaritas, imported beers and specialty wines. We also offer Hertz Rental Car services.
Our rooms are designed for your comfort and convenience. You have the following room
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Across the street from the Convention
Center
Your room amenities include a coffee maker, cable TV, free wireless high-speed internet
LAS CRUCES , NM 88005
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Ramada citrus ginger spa amenities, a hair dryer, and an iron and board. Many rooms
575.526.4411
RAMADALASCRUCES.COM
also have a microwave and refrigerator. Our VIP suites are two room suites with sofa
bed, sitting area, a full dining area for entertaining, and a separate bedroom.
The hotel meeting facilities are the finest in Las Cruces. You will be delighted with our beautifully equipped and
decorated board rooms, fine banqueting facilities, and excellent meeting rooms. In addition, you can reserve The Bar for
private parties, receptions or private events.

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OLD WEST TRAILS www.oldwestcountry.com 1-800-290-8330

Southeast
ROSWELL

& ARTESIA

Crystalline sand dunes and alien visitors are the rock stars of Southeast New Mexico, but the
real trophies are the area’s history, art and recreational opportunities. Massive cattle drives, turf
wars and Indian skirmishes highlight the historic aspects of Roswell and Artesia, but even before
that, prehistoric cultures were scratching their thoughts on rocks north of Alamogordo. All three
communities provide access to the incredible recreational opportunities of the Sacramento
Mountains, including skiing, horse racing and casino gaming.
this page: Over
petroglyphs
Alamogordo’s area attractions include the history of international space 20,000
crowd the rocks at
flight, the history of missile development, and a cluster of solar observatories, Three Rivers Petroglyphs National Reca valley covered by white sand dunes and black solidified lava flows, an old reation Site at the
base of the White
west homestead, thousands of prehistoric petroglyphs and wilderness access to Mountain Wilderness
north of Alamogordo.
a 12,000-foot mountain.
The eastern side of the Sacramento Mountains includes Roswell’s wildlife refuge and bottomless lakes on the Pecos River and Artesia’s Brantley Lake. Unique artistic endeavors have bolstered both Roswell and Artesia as unfaltering claims of alien intruders remain the headlines for
Roswell’s sci-fi district.

OLD WEST COUNTRY SOUTHEAST

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Artesia
CHAVES COUNTY

Sallie Chisum:
First Lady of Artesia

"Billy had many admirable qualities. In all his personal relations with me he
was the pink of politeness and as courteous a little gentleman as I ever met."

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OLD WEST TRAILS www.oldwestcountry.com 1-800-290-8330

Photo courtesy Artesia Chamber of Commerce

S

trange as it may sound today, the lady making that statement was speaking of Billy the Kid.
In a sly style more often used by gossip columnists, historical writers have alluded to rumors of
romance between Billy and the niece of cattle baron John Chisum. It is known that they were friends for
a time; any deeper relationship has remained unproven. There was much more to the character of Sallie
Chisum, however, than mere possible personal involvement with a famous killer.
this page: Oil
Sallie was Artesia, New Mexico’s first postmistress, at a time when Artesia was called Stegman, and agriculture
are the foundaSallie’s married name at the time. The first artesian well in the area was drilled on Sallie’s land. tion for the area’s
She was locally renowned as a storyteller and loved by the town’s children, who regularly sought economy and the
catalyst for a
her companionship.
flourishing arts
During her lifetime, Sallie was by turns the owner/operator of a boarding house, a postmistress, community.
real estate trader and developer and, when needed, a caregiver to the infirm and unfortunate in the Artesia area.
She would have been proud of the title “First Lady of Artesia,” which was bestowed after her death in 1934.
A twice-life-sized sculpture depicting Sallie reading a book to some of Artesia’s schoolchildren was dedicated
in 2004. Created by well-known artist Robert Summers, it stands at the corner of South Third and West Main
Street in Artesia.

ABOUT THE AREA

Artesia is nestled into the southeastern
corner of New Mexico at the crossroads of
US 285 and US 82 – a perfect place to stay
when traveling around vibrant Southeast
New Mexico.
Artesia’s history dates back to the 1880s
when homesteaders came to the area attracted by the promise of plentiful water from artesian wells. Until then, the area was part of
John Chisum’s vast cattle empire. The railroad
came to Artesia in the 1890s, bringing to the
area the first wave of development. The big
pay came in 1924, with the discovery of oil,
marking the beginning of Artesia’s story as an
oil patch town.
Artesia is proud to display its history and
heritage in striking public art and a revitalization of its historic downtown. History comes
alive in larger-than-life bronze monuments
dedicated to telling Artesia’s story. The renovation of historic buildings includes the
Ocotillo Performing Arts Center and venues
for food, drink, lodging and entertainment, all
in beautiful settings where old meets new.
Being at the center of Southeast New
Mexico, Artesia offers an enjoyable environment and allows easy access to regional
attractions that include mountain hiking, skiing, fishing, the Caverns and more.
Artesia is a great place to stay along the way!

ATTRACTIONS

Brantley Lake State Park. A southern
desert park, is a refreshing place to fish and
enjoy other water sports. The visitor center
includes historical exhibits about the Wild
West town of Seven Rivers.

above, l to r: Geronimo
traversed the Black Range in
what is now Sierra County,
home of the Geronimo
Springs Museum in Truth or
Consequences. Luna County
became internationally famous
in 1916 after forces under
Mexican revolutionary general
Pancho Villa attacked
Columbus and Camp
Furlong, a nearby military
base. Today, Pancho Villa
State Park commemorates the event.
right, l to r: Mangas
Coloradas was chief of
the Mimbreno Chiricahuas
when an influx of miners
arrived in the Pinos Altos area
of present day Grant County in the 1850s. Son-in-law
of Mangas Coloradas, Cochise was a chief of the
Chokoken Chiricahuas, who ranged through the rugged
mountains and canyons of eastern Arizona and presentday Hidalgo County.
right: Present-day Catron County was a refuge to
Butch Cassidy (upper inset) who occasionally
worked as a ranch hand near Glenwood under an
assumed name. Self-appointed lawman Elfego Baca
(lower inset) survived a 33-hour gun battle with 80
opponents in Reserve.
below: The Buffalo Soldiers of Fort Craig in today’s
Socorro County were never able to capture Victorio
and his band of Warm Springs Apaches.

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The late 1800s and early 1900s comprised an era of armed
confrontation among westward moving settlers and nomadic groups
of Native Americans, gunslingers who were either good guys or bad
guys depending on who they shot, cattlemen and local Mexican settlers and, even Mexican revolutionaries and U.S troops. It was truly
the Wild West at its most colorful (and deadly) stage.
Among the household names were Billy the Kid, Butch Cassidy
and Elfego Baca. Billy was born in Silver City and first jailed in
Mesilla. Butch Cassidy sometimes worked as a ranch hand near
Glenwood and Elfego Baca shot it out with 80 Texas cowboys in
what is now Reserve. Famous Native Americans of that era included
Geronimo, Victorio, Mangas Coloradas and Cochise, all acknowledged for their military prowess. Mexican revolutionary Pancho
Villa invaded the United States at
Columbus in 1916 and was chased by
General “Blackjack” Pershing.
Centuries before European explorers first reached the area, prehistoric
Native American cultures farmed and
hunted along mountain streams,
leaving behind their cliff dwellings
and a wealth of fascinating pottery.
Once Spanish colonizers began traveling El Camino Real toward Santa
Fe, small villages supporting supply
trains and the spread of Catholicism
began to develop along the Rio Grande,
including Socorro with its centuries old mission church. Later, when Mexico gained
autonomy, Mexican mining interests initiated
operations in Santa Rita to supply copper to
the Mexican mint.
In the meantime, trappers, prospectors and
other explorers began appearing from the east
coast. These forerunners of the westward
expansion of the United States gave rise to
Mesilla and Shakespeare and eventually to present day communities.
Today the descendents of these hearty and
often rambunctious groups meld with the contop: Billy the Kid was tried and sentenced to
tinuing influx of people from around the
hang in Mesilla, today’s home of the William
world. A welcome hand is still extended to its
Bonney Gallery, but escaped.
visitors and prospective “settlers.”

The Hotel Artesia offers a special combination of
convenience and comfort in the center of Artesia.
In addition to our cozy Artesia, NM hotel
accommodations and gracious amenities, we offer
extended stay suites outfitted with kitchenettes and
several outstanding choices of meeting spaces - our
Artesia hotel is designed to serve both leisure and
business travelers as well as the local community
looking for meeting and special event venues.
From the distinctive Art Deco architecture designed
by Richard Yates to the authentic interior finishes, our
Artesia, New Mexico, hotel's creative flair and unparalleled
standard
of
service
offers
an
experience unavailable at any franchise or corporate
chain property.
Combining the best location, thoughtful design, personal service and premium amenities, the Hotel
Artesia is certain to become the preferred lodging
choice among Artesia hotels.
OLD WEST COUNTRY EL PASO

OW35

Roswell
CHAVES COUNTY

A Suitable OvernightCamp:
Roswell and the Goodnight-Loving Trail
“It didn’t matter who you were, he invited all in.”
-- Montie Goodin, Armstrong County Museum board member,
who was born in the Charles Goodnight house.

“[Charles Goodnight] approached greatness more nearly than any cowman of history.”
-- Historian J. Frank Dobie
Apparently unaware of his future place in history, Texas cattleman Charles Goodnight was a consummate businessman, entirely focused on raising and marketing cattle. In 1866, he and fellow Texas cattleman Oliver Loving combined their Longhorn herds and drove the entire lot to Fort Sumner, New Mexico.
The route they devised came to be called the Goodnight-Loving Trail. Along the way, the drovers held up
for a night at a site near present-day Roswell, NM at the confluence of the Hondo and Pecos Rivers, where
grass for the cattle was plentiful. Within a few years, a trading post, gambling hall and other conveniences sprang
up at the watering hole, all designed to separate hard-working cowboys from their money.
In 1869, a professional gambler named Van Smith purchased the buildings and named the place this page: A
sculpture depicting
after his father, Roswell Smith. The settlement grew into a town.
local cattle drives
Forget space aliens; Roswell’s history on planet Earth is compelling enough.
by the likes of
cattle baron John
The Goodnight-Loving Trail eventually extended to Wyoming. Oliver Loving
Chism forms the
centerpiece of a
was mortally wounded by Comanche warriors while riding ahead of a
downtown park in
Roswell.
cattle drive, dying in Fort Sumner of gangrene. Before Loving’s
death, Goodnight promised to bury his partner in Texas, and
that’s the way things turned out. This occurrence provided
the basis for part of the acclaimed Larry McMurtry novel,
“Lonesome Dove.”

Roswell is located on the
Pecos River 73 miles east
of Ruidoso at the junction of
US70, US285 and US380.

MORE
INFORMATION

Roswell Convention &
Visitors Bureau
575-624-7704

Roswell is a city of museums and
green parks, made famous by the crash
of a small alien ship in 1947. Its busiest
facility is, of course, the International
UFO Museum and Research Center.
Numerous downtown businesses are
named for and cater to the Roswell
Incident and stellar characteristics. Even
McDonalds is shaped like an alien craft.
Roswell has well-endowed museums
and art centers, including the intriguing
Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art,
and the New Mexico Military Institute,
established in 1891. There are miles of
hike and bike trails and the nearby Bitter
Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and
Bottomless Lakes State Park.

Photo courtesy Roswell Landing

Roswell Landing

A

lien, Russian, German or American –the origin of the flying saucers (yes,
plural) that crashed northwest of Roswell in 1947 remains a controversy.
No one in Roswell believes there was a weather balloon involved, so the
burning question that remains – who were the pilots? this page: Roswell
provides
Fascination with the Roswell Incident continues to trigger the lay- Landing
an exciting array of
man’s imagination and a pair of alien gray jeans by Genuine alien gear and information related to
Roswell Gear and a set of alien dog tags will definitely help con- the 1947 Roswell
Incident.
vince the folks back home to listen…and believe.
There are alien souvenir outlets throughout Roswell, but the one with the flashing
lights that’s open every day and into the night is Roswell Landing. And it’s just a few
steps from the UFO Museum and Research Center, the old Cover-Up Café and the
Not Of This World coffee house. It’s the place to pick up unique T-shirts and sweat
shirts, inflatable aliens, ray guns, alien pâté and goo. It’s all there from alien crossing
signs to masks that glow and have large, non-fogging eyes.
Roswell Landing is a dealer for Adventures Unlimited Press with great selections like
Roswell and the Reich by Joseph P. Farrell and the Ultimate Guide to the Roswell
UFO Crash by Noe Torres.
Roswell Landing is the official visitor center for the Earth Station Roswell Resort

OLD WEST COUNTRY ROSWELL

OW37

El Paso
WEST TEXAS

James B. Gillett:
Ranger, Marshal, Rancher

&

Author

“In a country where all men went armed, recourse to firearms was frequent,“ wrote James
Buchanan Gillet, “and these feuds sometimes led to active warfare between the adherents of each
party, to the great discomfort of the citizens among whom such a miniature war was staged.”

G

illett, then a prosperous rancher in his sixties, was recalling the mood of the times during his hard-riding, heart pounding association with the Texas Rangers some forty years earlier. The events he described
occurred during the peak period of the Rangers’ 19th century adventures on the frontier. Gillett had
gone on to serve as assistant city marshal, and later marshal, of El Paso, Texas during one of the wildest and
wickedest periods in that city’s long and colorful history. He survived to write about it all in his memoirs, which were
published in 1921 under the title “Six Years with the Texas Rangers.”
this page: El
James Gillett had grown up working as a ranch hand in the Lampas, TX area, and joined the Texas Paso is the
region’s largest
Rangers around the time of his 20th birthday. For the following six years he and his fellow Rangers were city with close
ties to Southern
in the saddle constantly and participated in numerous gun battles, including the final shootout with New Mexico and
Old
Sam Bass and his gang of train robbers. Known for their relentless pursuit of suspects on the run, they aWestrowdy
history.
battled rustlers, murderers and hostile native warriors.
Gillett must have had a keen survival instinct, for after six years with the rangers, he decided it was time to do something else. He accepted a position as captain of guards for the Santa Fe Railroad, but only stayed on for a few months,
resigning to become El Paso’s assistant marshal. When Marshal Dallas Stoudenmire left to become a deputy U.S. marshal for western Texas, Gillett was appointed to the job of city marshal, and subsequently re-elected.
In 1885, after a violent altercation with a city councilman, Gillett again felt it was time for a change. He decided to heed the words of a friend who reminded him, “Jim, you have had a quart cup of bullets shot at you as a ranger
and marshal…”
James Gillett retired from law enforcement, returned to ranching, prospered and lived to be elderly. Throughout
his life, the Texas Rangers held a special place in his heart. He wrote of leaving the Rangers, “Henceforth my ranger
days and ranger service were to be but a memory, albeit the happiest one of my life.”

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OLD WEST TRAILS www.oldwestcountry.com 1-800-290-8330

ABOUT THE AREA

Originally named by Spanish colonizer Don
Juan de Onate in 1598, El Paso became an
important stop on the trade route from Mexico
City to Santa Fe. Following New Mexico's
Pueblo revolt in 1680, displaced Indians settled
the Tigua Reservation near El Paso and were
responsible for building the picturesque missions of Ysleta, Socorro and San Elizario. Today
as both the gateway to the Old West and the
"avenida" to Mexico, El Paso is a city of
romance and adventure for explorers past,
present and future.
Pistol shooting Old West re-enactments,
nightly summer performances of Viva El Paso!
and weekend ceremonial dancing by Tigua
Indians keep the pioneer spirit alive. An impressive cluster of museums and performing arts
venues have partnered with downtown revitalization to offer an incredible array of international culture and entertainment. Horseracing
and casino gaming at Sunland Park Race Track,
Sunbowl football and a packed schedule of
fiestas and concerts keep this international city
hopping year-round.
Area specialty shops offer regional arts and
crafts. As a finishing touch, the cuisine of many
lands and music of the Southwest fire the hearts
and souls of young and old as part of the passionate, vivid experience that is El Paso, Texas.
Annual El Paso Chamber Music Festival. 915833-9400 www.eppm.org
Annual Siglo de Oro Drama Festival
915-532-7273 www.nps.gov/cham
Sunland Derby at Sunland Park
575-874-5200 www.sunland-park.com
El Paso Marathon. www.elpasomarathon.org
Franklin Mountain Poppies Celebration.
915-755-4332 www.chihuahuandesert.org
May KLAQ International Balloonfest. 915-880-4955
www.klaq.com
Jun
El Paso Summer Music Festival. 915-449-0619
www.elpasosummermusicfestival.org
Jul
Downtown Street Festival. 915-544-9550
www.klaq.com
Aug
Plaza Classic Film Festival. 915-533-4020
www.plaza-movies.com
Sep
Fiesta de las Flores 915-533-3730
fiestadelasfloreselpaso.com
Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta. 915-521-1881
www.elpasozoo.org/cdec
Oct
Amigo Airsho. 915-562-6446 www.amigoairsho.org
Hueco Tanks Interpretive Fair. 915-857-1135
Nov
Dia de los Muertos Celebration 915-373-1513
www.ghosts915.com
Dec
Holiday Lights at the Zoo. 915-544-1928
Season of Lights at the University of Texas
915-747-8600
Annual Brut Sun Bowl. 800-915-BOWL
www.sunbowl.org
May-Aug Alfresco! Fridays. 915-541-4481
Jun-Aug Music Under the Stars. Sundays
915-541-4481 www.nps.gov/cham
Jan

Mar

ATTRACTIONS
The Border Jumper. One Civic Center Plaza.
El Paso-Juarez Trolley Company shuttles back and
forth between these twin cities. 915-544-0062.
El Paso Zoo. 5-acre zoo with more than 700
animals in nat-ural settings. 915-544-1928.
Fort Bliss Museum. A reproduction of the 1854
fort houses the museum.Living history displays &
Civil War artifacts. 915-568-4518.
EI Paso Museum of Art. One Arts Festival Plaza.
Galleries, educational exhibits, museum store.
915-532-1707.
Wyler Aerial Tramway. Alabama to McKinley Ave.
View two countries and three states from the
southern end of the Franklin Mountains.
915-566-6622.

LOCATION

El Paso is located on I-10
at the international gateway
to the Old West.

ld West Country encompasses a number of climate zones and
therefore attracts a wide variety of bird species. The Rio Grande
valley and associated marshlands provide for huge numbers of
migratory waterfowl and late fall spectacles, while the mountain
regions witness smaller, more specific seasonal movements. Desert
locales are more active for a variety of raptors and even burrowing species. Whatever
your level of experience or the lengths of your lists, birding has become increasingly
popular, and Old West Country is an outstanding area in which to enjoy it.
Some Old West Country residents are able to observe more than a
this page: Snow
hundred
species of birds without leaving home. Visitors, of course,
geese by the
thousands spend increase their success rate when the local population
nights at Bosque
del
Apache points out the most likely locations. For those just beginNational Wildlife ning the quest for identifying birds, as with any new
Refuge during fall
migrations. Year activity, success is important to maintaining interest.
round
birding
Old West Trails has compiled a list of popular birding
16
excels in Old
locations
and the species known to drop in from time
15
West Country.
14
to time. Some of the locations are also known for their
21
scenic beauty; others may seem unlikely but are nonetheless areas pre20
ferred by a number of our feathered friends. Old West Country bird12
18
13 19
ing experts have verified all locations.
By combining information contained in this feature with other
11
resources found on these pages, you can plan a birding adventure that
10
also includes hiking, camping, horseback riding and a wealth of other
9
6
activities that await you in Old West Country.
8 7

A

43

B
17
C

D
23
22

E

F

G

H
Map compiled by the State Audobon.
1

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OLD WEST TRAILS www.oldwestcountry.com 1-800-290-8330

2

3

4

5

6

7

Desert Bloom
Lake Roberts

Mineral Hot Springs

Shakespeare

SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO

LORDSBURG

Duck Races
Elephant Butte
Shakespeare

DEMING
T OR C

DEMING

LORDSBURG

SILVER CITY

star-gazing, terrific year-round weather, relaxed lifestyle

Painted Desert

opportunities, diverse cultural heritage, regional cuisine,

Golf Course

SILVER CITY is known for its arts community, birding

A place WHERE
FORTUNES were made,
HEARTS were broken
and DREAMS
were FULFILLED!